U.S. patent number 8,563,246 [Application Number 13/532,606] was granted by the patent office on 2013-10-22 for combinatorial decoding of random nucleic acid arrays.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Illumina, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Mark S. Chee, David R. Walt. Invention is credited to Mark S. Chee, David R. Walt.
United States Patent |
8,563,246 |
Chee , et al. |
October 22, 2013 |
Combinatorial decoding of random nucleic acid arrays
Abstract
Methods disclosed herein relate to identification of nucleotides
in a nucleotide sequence.
Inventors: |
Chee; Mark S. (Encinitas,
CA), Walt; David R. (Lexington, MA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chee; Mark S.
Walt; David R. |
Encinitas
Lexington |
CA
MA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Illumina, Inc. (San Diego,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22466300 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/532,606 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120264622 A1 |
Oct 18, 2012 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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13159302 |
Jun 13, 2011 |
8206917 |
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12506116 |
Jun 14, 2011 |
7960119 |
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11625708 |
Jul 21, 2009 |
7563576 |
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10648848 |
Jan 23, 2007 |
7166431 |
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09574117 |
Sep 16, 2003 |
6620584 |
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60135052 |
May 20, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
435/6.1;
435/6.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12Q
1/6874 (20130101); C40B 20/04 (20130101); C07H
21/00 (20130101); C12Q 1/6837 (20130101); C12Q
1/6874 (20130101); C12Q 2563/161 (20130101); C12Q
2563/185 (20130101); C12Q 1/6837 (20130101); C12Q
2525/179 (20130101); C12Q 2563/155 (20130101); C12Q
2565/514 (20130101); B01J 2219/005 (20130101); B01J
2219/00585 (20130101); C07B 2200/11 (20130101); B01J
2219/00702 (20130101); B01J 2219/00596 (20130101); B01J
2219/00648 (20130101); B01J 2219/00659 (20130101); B01J
2219/00722 (20130101); C40B 70/00 (20130101); B01J
2219/00572 (20130101); C40B 40/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C12Q
1/68 (20060101) |
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|
Primary Examiner: Kim; Young J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear,
LLP
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/159,302, filed Jun. 13, 2011, which is a continuation of
Ser. No. 12/506,116, filed Jul. 20, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,960,119, issued Jun. 14, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/625,708, filed Jan. 22, 2007, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,563,576, issued Jul. 21, 2009, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/648,848, filed
Aug. 21, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,431, issued Jan. 23, 2007,
which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/574,117,
filed May 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,584, issued Sep. 16,
2003, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/135,052, filed May 20, 1999.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of determining a nucleotide sequence of a
polynucleotide, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a
substrate comprising a channel having a first subpopulation and a
second subpopulation of captured nucleic acids distributed thereon,
wherein captured nucleic acids of the first subpopulation and
captured nucleic acids of the second subpopulation comprise an
anchor sequence adjacent to a target sequence, the anchor sequence
of the first subpopulation of captured nucleic acids having the
same sequence as the anchor sequence of the second subpopulation of
captured nucleic acids and the target sequence of the first
subpopulation of captured nucleic acids being different from the
target sequence of the second subpopulation of captured nucleic
acids, wherein captured nucleic acids of the first subpopulation
and captured nucleic acids of the second subpopulation are
hybridized to a plurality of target probes comprising a variable
region, said variable region comprising at least one detection
nucleotide at a detection position, said detection nucleotide being
able to basepair with a nucleotide of at least one of said
different target sequences, wherein said plurality of target probes
comprises different groups, and wherein target probes from
different groups comprise a different detection nucleotide at the
same detection position and a label that distinguishes the
detection nucleotide; b) detecting the presence of said label; and
c) associating the label with the identity of one or more
nucleotides of the polynucleotide.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising dehybridizing said
target probes from said captured nucleic acids.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising hybridizing a second
set of target probes to said first and second subpopulations of
captured nucleic acids and detecting the presence of a label in
said target probes.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second
subpopulations of captured nucleic acids are attached to beads that
are distributed within the channel.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said target sequence comprises a
nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of: a fragment of a
gene, a regulatory sequence, genomic DNA, cDNA, RNA, a fragment of
genomic DNA, a fragment of mRNA, and a copy of a genomic DNA
fragment.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of target probes
comprises at least four groups.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said variable region comprises
two detection nucleotides.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the two detection nucleotides are
internal nucleotides of the variable region.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first of the two detection
nucleotides is at an end of the variable region.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second of the two detection
nucleotides is immediately adjacent to the first detection
nucleotide.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said variable region further
comprises a plurality of random nucleotides immediately adjacent to
the second detection nucleotide.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said variable region comprises a
single detection nucleotide.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the single detection nucleotide
is an internal nucleotide of the variable region.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the single detection nucleotide
is at an end of the variable region.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said variable region further
comprises a plurality of random nucleotides immediately adjacent to
the single detection nucleotide.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said variable region further
comprises a plurality of universal bases immediately adjacent to
the plurality of random nucleotides.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein said label is located at one end
of said variable region.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein said label is located at the
detection position.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the target sequence comprises no
more than 1000 nucleotides.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of target probes
further comprises a priming sequence complementary to a portion of
a primer sequence of said captured nucleic acids.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to compositions and methods for decoding
microsphere array sensors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a number of assays and sensors for the detection of the
presence and/or concentration of specific substances in fluids and
gases. Many of these rely on specific ligand/antiligand reactions
as the mechanism of detection. That is, pairs of substances (i.e.
the binding pairs or ligand/antiligands) are known to bind to each
other, while binding little or not at all to other substances. This
has been the focus of a number of techniques that utilize these
binding pairs for the detection of the complexes. These generally
are done by labeling one component of the complex in some way, so
as to make the entire complex detectable, using, for example,
radioisotopes, fluorescent and other optically active molecules,
enzymes, etc.
Of particular use in these sensors are detection mechanisms
utilizing luminescence. Recently, the use of optical fibers and
optical fiber strands in combination with light absorbing dyes for
chemical analytical determinations has undergone rapid development,
particularly within the last decade. The use of optical fibers for
such purposes and techniques is described by Milanovich et al.,
"Novel Optical Fiber Techniques For Medical Application",
Proceedings of the SPIE 28th Annual International Technical
Symposium On Optics and Electro-Optics, Volume 494, 1980; Seitz, W.
R., "Chemical Sensors Based On Immobilized Indicators and Fiber
Optics" in C.R.C. Critical Reviews In Analytical Chemistry, Vol.
19, 1988, pp. 135-173; Wolfbeis, O. S., "Fiber Optical
Fluorosensors In Analytical Chemistry" in Molecular Luminescence
Spectroscopy, Methods and Applications (S. G. Schulman, editor),
Wiley & Sons, New York (1988); Angel, S. M., Spectroscopy 2
(4):38 (1987); Walt, et al., "Chemical Sensors and
Microinstrumentation", ACS Symposium Series, Vol. 403, 1989, p.
252, and Wolfbeis, O. S., Fiber Optic Chemical Sensors, Ed. CRC
Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 1991, 2nd Volume.
When using an optical fiber in an in vitro/in vivo sensor, one or
more light absorbing dyes are located near its distal end.
Typically, light from an appropriate source is used to illuminate
the dyes through the fiber's proximal end. The light propagates
along the length of the optical fiber; and a portion of this
propagated light exits the distal end and is absorbed by the dyes.
The light absorbing dye mayor may not be immobilized; may or may
not be directly attached to the optical fiber itself; mayor may not
be suspended in a fluid sample containing one or more analytes of
interest; and mayor may not be retainable for subsequent use in a
second optical determination.
Once the light has been absorbed by the dye, some light of varying
wavelength and intensity returns, conveyed through either the same
fiber or collection fiber(s) to a detection system where it is
observed and measured. The interactions between the light conveyed
by the optical fiber and the properties of the light absorbing dye
provide an optical basis for both qualitative and quantitative
determinations.
Of the many different classes of light absorbing dyes which
conventionally are employed with bundles of fiber strands and
optical fibers for different analytical purposes are those more
common compositions that emit light after absorption termed
"fluorophores" and those which absorb light and internally convert
the absorbed light to heat, rather than emit it as light, termed
"chromophores."
Fluorescence is a physical phenomenon based upon the ability of
some molecules to absorb light (photons) at specified wavelengths
and then emit light of a longer wavelength and at a lower energy.
Substances able to fluoresce share a number of common
characteristics: the ability to absorb light energy at one
wavelength .lamda..sub.ab; reach an excited energy state; and
subsequently emit light at another light wavelength,
.lamda..sub.em. The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra
are individual for each fluorophore and are often graphically
represented as two separate curves that are slightly overlapping.
The same fluorescence emission spectrum is generally observed
irrespective of the wavelength of the exciting light and,
accordingly, the wavelength and energy of the exciting light may be
varied within limits; but the light emitted by the fluorophore will
always provide the same emission spectrum. Finally, the strength of
the fluorescence signal may be measured as the quantum yield of
light emitted. The fluorescence quantum yield is the ratio of the
number of photons emitted in comparison to the number of photons
initially absorbed by the fluorophore. For more detailed
information regarding each of these characteristics, the following
references are recommended: Lakowicz, J. R., Principles of
Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Plenum Press, New York, 1983;
Freifelder, D., Physical Biochemistry, second edition, W. H.
Freeman and Company, New York, 1982; "Molecular Luminescence
Spectroscopy Methods and Applications: Part I" (S. G. Schulman,
editor) in Chemical Analysis, vol. 77, Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
1985; The Theory of Luminescence, Stepanov and Gribkovskii, Iliffe
Books, Ltd., London, 1968.
In comparison, substances which absorb light and do not fluoresce
usually convert the light into heat or kinetic energy. The ability
to internally convert the absorbed light identifies the dye as a
"chromophore." Dyes which absorb light energy as chromophores do so
at individual wavelengths of energy and are characterized by a
distinctive molar absorption coefficient at that wavelength.
Chemical analysis employing fiber optic strands and absorption
spectroscopy using visible and ultraviolet light wavelengths in
combination with the absorption coefficient allow for the
determination of concentration for specific analyses of interest by
spectral measurement. The most common use of absorbance measurement
via optical fibers is to determine concentration which is
calculated in accordance with Beers' law; accordingly, at a single
absorbance wavelength, the greater the quantity of the composition
which absorbs light energy at a given wavelength, the greater the
optical density for the sample. In this way, the total quantity of
light absorbed directly correlates with the quantity of the
composition in the sample.
Many of the recent improvements employing optical fiber sensors in
both qualitative and quantitative analytical determinations concern
the desirability of depositing and/or immobilizing various light
absorbing dyes at the distal end of the optical fiber. In this
manner, a variety of different optical fiber chemical sensors and
methods have been reported for specific analytical determinations
and applications such as pH measurement, oxygen detection, and
carbon dioxide analyses. These developments are exemplified by the
following publications: Freeman, et al., Anal Chem. 53:98 (1983);
Lippitsch et al., Anal. Chem. Acta. 205:1, (1988); Wolfbeis et al.,
Anal. Chem. 60:2028 (1988); Jordan, et al., Anal. Chem. 59:437
(1987); Lubbers et al., Sens. Actuators 1983; Munkholm et al.,
Talanta 35:109 (1988); Munkholm et al., Anal. Chem. 58:1427 (1986);
Seitz, W. R., Anal. Chem. 56:16 A-34A (1984); Peterson, et al.,
Anal. Chem. 52:864 (1980): Saari, et al., Anal. Chem. 54:821
(1982); Saari, et al., Anal. Chem. 55:667 (1983); Zhujun et al.,
Anal. Chem. Acta. 160:47 (1984); Schwab, et al., Anal. Chem.
56:2199 (1984); Wolfbeis, O. S., "Fiber Optic Chemical Sensors",
Ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 1991, 2nd Volume; and Pantano, P.,
Walt, D. R., Anal. Chem., 481A-487A, Vol. 67, (1995).
More recently, fiber optic sensors have been constructed that
permit the use of multiple dyes with a single, discrete fiber optic
bundle. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,244,636 and 5,250,264 to Walt, et al.
disclose systems for affixing multiple, different dyes on the
distal end of the bundle, the teachings of each of these patents
being incorporated herein by this reference. The disclosed
configurations enable separate optical fibers of the bundle to
optically access individual dyes. This avoids the problem of
deconvolving the separate signals in the returning light from each
dye, which arises when the signals from two or more dyes are
combined, each dye being sensitive to a different analyte, and
there is significant overlap in the dyes' emission spectra.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,540 and U.S. Ser. No. 09/151,877 describe array
compositions that utilize microspheres or beads on a surface of a
substrate, for example on a terminal end of a fiber optic bundle,
with each individual fiber comprising a bead containing an optical
signature. Since the beads are placed randomly, a unique optical
signature is needed to "decode" the array; i.e. after the array is
made, a correlation of the location of an individual site on the
array with the bead or bioactive agent at that particular site can
be made. This means that the beads may be randomly distributed on
the array, a fast and inexpensive process as compared to either the
in situ synthesis or spotting techniques of the prior art. Once the
array is loaded with the beads, the array can be decoded, or can be
used, with full or partial decoding occurring after testing, as is
more fully outlined below.
One drawback with the previous system is that it requires a set of
unique optical signatures. While large sets of such signatures are
available, for example by using different ratios of different dyes,
it would be preferable to use decoding systems that do not rely on
the use of sets of optical signatures. Accordingly, it is an object
of the invention to provide methods to allow decoding of bead
arrays without relying solely on unique optical signatures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the objects outlined above, the present
invention provides compositions comprising a plurality of nucleic
acids, each nucleic acid comprising an invariant sequence, a
variable sequence and a label. In addition, the invention provides
a method for decoding an array composition. The method includes
providing an array composition comprising a substrate with a
surface comprising discrete sites and a population of microspheres
comprising first and second subpopulations, each subpopulation
comprising an identifier nucleic acid sequence comprising a primer
sequence and a decoder sequence. The method further comprises
adding to the array a first set of combinatorial decoding probes
comprising a priming sequence, at least one decoding nucleotide and
a label, and detecting the presence of the label. In addition the
invention provides kits comprising a substrate comprising a surface
with discrete sites, a population of microspheres and a decoder
probe composition comprising a plurality of probes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NOS: 1-14) depicts the sequence of 14 probes
attached to beads.
FIG. 2 is a graph depicting that 20% formamide elicits correct base
identification at the terminal position, position 12, of
immobilized probes. The star indicates the correct base
identification.
FIG. 3 is a graph depicting that the correct identification of the
bases at position 11 and 12 (the terminal and terminal-1 positions)
is achieved via competition using 20% formamide in the
hybridization buffer.
FIG. 4 is a graph depicting that the correct identification of the
bases at internal positions (internal positions of the immobilized
probes) is achieved via competition in the hybridization
buffer.
FIGS. 5A (SEQ ID NOS: 1-14 and 15-22), 5B (SEQ ID NOS: 15-18), 5C
(SEQ ID NOS: 19-31) schematically depict 4 different probes each on
its own bead, and solution target probes to interrogate different
positions of the bead-bound probe. The symbols schematically depict
different labels.
FIG. 6 (SEQ ID NO: 32) depicts a method of using a DNA array to
sequence.
FIG. 7 (SEQ ID NO: 1) schematically depicts a decoding scheme.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally based on previous work
comprising a bead-based analytic chemistry system in which beads,
also termed microspheres, carrying different chemical
functionalities are distributed on a substrate comprising a
patterned surface of discrete sites that can bind the individual
microspheres. Since the beads are generally placed onto the
substrate randomly, the previous work relied on the incorporation
of unique optical signatures, generally fluorescent dyes, that
could be used to identify the chemical functionality on any
particular bead. This allows the synthesis of the candidate agents
(i.e. compounds such as nucleic acids and antibodies) to be
divorced from their placement on an array, i.e. the candidate
agents may be synthesized on the beads, and then the beads are
randomly distributed on a patterned surface. Since the beads are
first coded with an optical signature, this means that the array
can later be "decoded", i.e. after the array is made, a correlation
of the location of an individual site on the array with the bead or
candidate agent at that particular site can be made. This means
that the beads may be randomly distributed on the array, a fast and
inexpensive process as compared to either the in situ synthesis or
spotting techniques of the prior art.
There are a number of ways that the arrays can be either precoded
or later decoded. These techniques are generally described in U.S.
Ser. Nos. 09/189,543; 08/944,850, 09/033,462 and 09/151,877 and PCT
applications US98/05025 and US98/21193, all of which are expressly
incorporated herein by reference. That is, as will be appreciated
by those in the art, the placement of the bioactive agents is
generally random, and thus a coding/decoding system is required to
identify the bioactive agent at each location in the array. This
may be done in a variety of ways, as is more fully outlined below,
and generally includes: a) coding techniques, such as the use of
unique optical signatures for each type of bead; b) the use of
decoding binding ligands (DBLs), generally directly labeled, that
binds to either the bioactive agent or to identifier binding
ligands (IBLs) attached to the beads; c) positional decoding, for
example by either targeting the placement of beads (for example by
using photoactivatible or photocleavable moieties to allow the
selective addition of beads to particular locations), or by using
either sub-bundles or selective loading of the sites, as are more
fully outlined below; d) selective decoding, wherein only those
beads that bind to a target are decoded; or e) combinations of any
of these. In some cases, as is more fully outlined below, this
decoding may occur for all the beads, or only for those that bind a
particular target analyte. Similarly, this may occur either prior
to or after addition of a target analyte.
Once the identity of the bioactive agent and its location of each
microsphere in the array has been fixed, the array is exposed to
samples containing the target analytes, although as outlined below,
this can be done prior to or during the analysis as well. The
target analytes will bind to the bioactive agents as is more fully
outlined below, and results in a change in the optical signal of a
particular bead.
In the present invention, "decoding" does not rely solely on the
use of optical signatures (although as described herein, the use of
beads with optical signatures can allow the "reuse" of the decoding
probes), but rather on the use of combinatorial decoding nucleic
acids that are added during a decoding step. The decoding nucleic
acids will hybridize either to a distinct identifier coding nucleic
acid (identifier probe) that is placed on the beads, or to the
bioactive agent itself, for example when the bioactive agent is a
nucleic acid, at least some portion of which is single stranded to
allow hybridization to a decoding probe. The decoding nucleic acids
are either directly or indirectly labeled, and thus decoding occurs
by detecting the presence of the label.
As is more fully outlined below, the combinatorial decoding works
as follows. The coding nucleic acids (also termed identifier probes
(IP) or identifier nucleic acids) comprise a primer sequence and an
adjacent decoding sequence. Each decoder (or decoding) probe
comprises a priming sequence (sometimes referred to herein as an
"invariant sequence"), that will hybridize to the primer sequence,
and at least one decoding nucleotide, generally contained within a
variable seqeunce. The decoder probes are made as sets, with each
set generally comprising at least four subsets that each have a
different decoding nucleotide at the same position i.e. the
detection position, (i.e. adenine, thymidine (or uracil, as
desired), cytosine and guanine), with each nucleotide at the
detection position (detection nucleotide) comprising a unique
label, preferably a fluorophore. The decoder probes are added under
conditions that allow discrimination of perfect complementarity and
imperfect complementarity. Thus, the decoding probe that comprises
the correct base for basepairing with the coding nucleotide being
interrogated will hybridize the best, and the other three decoding
probes will be washed away. The detection of the unique fluor
associated with the detection nucleotide allows the identification
of the coding nucleotide at that position. By repeating these steps
with a new set of decoding probes that extends the position of the
detection nucleotide by one base, the identity of next coding
nucleotide is elucidated. Although such a decoding system may
require the use of large numbers of different decoding probes,
synthesis of the probes is dramatically facilitated by the use of
split and mix combinatorial synthesis as described below.
Accordingly, the present invention provides array compositions
comprising at least a first substrate with a surface comprising
individual sites. By "array" herein is meant a plurality of
candidate agents in an array format; the size of the array will
depend on the composition and end use of the array. Arrays
containing from about 2 different bioactive agents (i.e. different
beads) to many millions can be made, with very large fiber optic
arrays being possible. Generally, the array will comprise from two
to as many as a billion or more, depending on the size of the beads
and the substrate, as well as the end use of the array. Thus very
high density, high density, moderate density, low density and very
low density arrays may be made. Preferred ranges for very high
density arrays are from about 10,000,000 to about 2,000,000,000
(all numbers are per square cm), with from about 100,000,000 to
about 1,000,000,000 being preferred. High density arrays range
about 100,000 to about 10,000,000, with from about 1,000,000 to
about 5,000,000 being particularly preferred. Moderate density
arrays range from about 10,000 to about 100,000 being particularly
preferred, and from about 20,000 to about 50,000 being especially
preferred. Low density arrays are generally less than 10,000, with
from about 1,000 to about 5,000 being preferred. Very low density
arrays are less than 1,000, with from about 10 to about 1000 being
preferred, and from about 100 to about 500 being particularly
preferred. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention
may not be in array format; that is, for some embodiments,
compositions comprising a single bioactive agent may be made as
well. In addition, in some arrays, multiple substrates may be used,
either of different or identical compositions. Thus for example,
large arrays may comprise a plurality of smaller substrates.
In addition, one advantage of the present compositions is that
particularly through the use of fiber optic technology, extremely
high density arrays can be made. Thus for example, because beads of
200 .mu.m or less (with beads of 200 nm possible) can be used, and
very small fibers are known, it is possible to have as many as
40,000 or more (in some instances, 1 million) different fibers and
beads in a 1 mm.sup.2 fiber optic bundle, with densities of greater
than 15,000,000 individual beads and fibers (again, in some
instances as many as 25-50 million) per 0.5 cm.sup.2
obtainable.
By "substrate" or "solid support" or other grammatical equivalents
herein is meant any material that can be modified to contain
discrete individual sites appropriate for the attachment or
association of beads and is amenable to at least one detection
method. As will be appreciated by those in the art, the number of
possible substrates is very large. Possible substrates include, but
are not limited to, glass and modified or functionalized glass,
plastics (including acrylics, polystyrene and copolymers of styrene
and other materials, polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene,
polyurethanes, Teflon.TM., etc.), polysaccharides, nylon or
nitrocellulose, resins, silica or silica-based materials including
silicon and modified silicon, carbon, metals, inorganic glasses,
plastics, optical fiber bundles, and a variety of other polymers.
In general, the substrates allow optical detection and do not
themselves appreciably fluoresce.
Generally the substrate is flat (planar), although as will be
appreciated by those in the art, other configurations of substrates
may be used as well; for example, three dimensional configurations
can be used, for example by embedding the beads in a porous block
of plastic that allows sample access to the beads and using a
confocal microscope for detection. Similarly, the beads may be
placed on the inside surface of a tube, for flow-through sample
analysis to minimize sample volume. Preferred substrates include
optical fiber bundles as discussed below, and flat planar
substrates such as glass, polystyrene and other plastics and
acrylics.
In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is an optical fiber bundle
or array, as is generally described in U.S. Ser. Nos. 08/944,850,
09/287,573, 08/519,062 and 09/340,350, PCT U898/05025, PCT
US98/09163, and PCT US99/19624, all of which are expressly
incorporated herein by reference. Preferred embodiments utilize
preformed unitary fiber optic arrays. By "preformed unitary fiber
optic array" herein is meant an array of discrete individual fiber
optic strands that are co-axially disposed and joined along their
lengths. The fiber strands are generally individually clad.
However, one thing that distinguished a preformed unitary array
from other fiber optic formats is that the fibers are not
individually physically manipulatable; that is, one strand
generally cannot be physically separated at any point along its
length from another fiber strand.
At least one surface of the substrate is modified to contain
discrete, individual sites for later association of microspheres.
These sites may comprise physically altered sites, i.e. physical
configurations such as wells or small depressions in the substrate
that can retain the beads, such that a microsphere can rest in the
well, or the use of other forces (magnetic or compressive), or
chemically altered or active sites, such as chemically
functionalized sites, electrostatically altered sites,
hydrophobically/hydrophilically functionalized sites, spots of
adhesive, etc.
The sites may be a pattern, i.e. a regular design or configuration,
or randomly distributed. A preferred embodiment utilizes a regular
pattern of sites such that the sites may be addressed in the X-Y
coordinate plane. "Pattern" in this sense includes a repeating unit
cell, preferably one that allows a high density of beads on the
substrate. However, it should be noted that these sites may not be
discrete sites. That is, it is possible to use a uniform surface of
adhesive or chemical functionalities, for example, that allows the
association of beads at any position. That is, the surface of the
substrate is modified to allow association of the microspheres at
individual sites, whether or not those sites are contiguous or
non-contiguous with other sites. Thus, the surface of the substrate
may be modified such that discrete sites are formed that can only
have a single associated bead, or alternatively, the surface of the
substrate is modified and beads may go down anywhere, but they end
up at discrete sites.
In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the substrate is modified
to contain wells, i.e. depressions in the surface of the substrate.
This may be done as is generally known in the art using a variety
of techniques, including, but not limited to, photolithography,
stamping techniques, molding techniques and microetching
techniques. As will be appreciated by those in the art, the
technique used will depend on the composition and shape of the
substrate.
In a preferred embodiment, physical alterations are made in a
surface of the substrate to produce the sites. In a preferred
embodiment, the substrate is a fiber optic bundle and the surface
of the substrate is a terminal end of the fiber bundle, as is
generally described in Ser. Nos. 08/818,199, 09/151,877,
09/450,829, PCT US98/05025 and PCT/US99/20914 all of which are
hereby expressly incorporated by reference. In this embodiment,
wells are made in a terminal or distal end of a fiber optic bundle
comprising individual fibers. In this embodiment, the cores of the
individual fibers are etched, with respect to the cladding, such
that small wells or depressions are formed at one end of the
fibers. The required depth of the wells will depend on the size of
the beads to be added to the wells.
Generally in this embodiment, the microspheres are non-covalently
associated in the wells, although the wells may additionally be
chemically functionalized as is generally described below,
cross-linking agents may be used, or a physical barrier may be
used, i.e. a film or membrane over the beads.
In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the substrate is modified
to contain chemically' modified sites, that can be used to
associate, either covalently or non-covalently, the microspheres of
the invention to the discrete sites or locations on the substrate.
"Chemically modified sites" in this context includes, but is not
limited to, the addition of a pattern of chemical functional groups
including amino groups, carboxy groups, oxo groups and thiol
groups, that can be used to covalently attach microspheres, which
generally also contain corresponding reactive functional groups;
the addition of a pattern of adhesive that can be used to bind the
microspheres (either by prior chemical functionalization for the
addition of the adhesive or direct addition of the adhesive); the
addition of a pattern of charged groups (similar to the chemical
functionalities) for the electrostatic association of the
microspheres, i.e. when the microspheres comprise charged groups
opposite to the sites; the addition of a pattern of chemical
functional groups that renders the sites differentially hydrophobic
or hydrophilic, such that the addition of similarly hydrophobic or
hydrophilic microspheres under suitable experimental conditions
will result in association of the microspheres to the sites on the
basis of hydro affinity. For example, the use of hydrophobic sites
with hydrophobic beads, in an aqueous system, drives the
association of the beads preferentially onto the sites. As outlined
above, "pattern" in this sense includes the use of a uniform
treatment of the surface to allow association of the beads at
discrete sites, as well as treatment of the surface resulting in
discrete sites. As will be appreciated by those in the art, this
may be accomplished in a variety of ways.
Other configurations of substrates are described in 60/113,968,
PCT/US99/31022, Ser. Nos. 09/256,943, 09/473,904 and 09/316,154 all
of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
The compositions of the invention further comprise a population of
microspheres. By "population" herein is meant a plurality of beads
as outlined above for arrays. Within the population are separate
subpopulations, which can be a single microsphere or multiple
identical microspheres. That is, in some embodiments, as is more
fully outlined below, the array may contain only a single bead for
each bioactive agent; preferred embodiments utilize a plurality of
beads of each type.
By "microspheres" or "beads" or "particles" or grammatical
equivalents herein is meant small discrete particles. The
composition of the beads will vary, depending on the class of
bioactive agent and the method of synthesis. Suitable bead
compositions include those used in peptide, nucleic acid and
organic moiety synthesis, including, but not limited to, plastics,
ceramics, glass, polystyrene, methylstyrene, acrylic polymers,
paramagnetic materials, thoria sol, carbon graphited, titanium
dioxide, latex or cross-linked dextrans such as Sepharose,
cellulose, nylon, cross-linked micelles and Teflon may all be used.
"Microsphere Detection Guide" from Bangs Laboratories, Fishers IN
is a helpful guide.
The beads need not be spherical; irregular particles may be used.
In addition, the beads may be porous, thus increasing the surface
area of the bead available for either bioactive agent attachment or
coding nucleic acid attachment. The bead sizes range from
nanometers, i.e. 100 nm, to millimeters, i.e. 1 mm, with beads from
about 0.2 micron to about 200 microns being preferred, and from
about 0.5 to about 5 micron being particularly preferred, although
in some embodiments smaller beads may be used.
It should be noted that a key component of the invention is the use
of a substrate/bead pairing that allows the association or
attachment of the beads at discrete sites on the surface of the
substrate, such that the beads do not move during the course of the
assay.
Each microsphere comprises a bioactive agent, although as will be
appreciated by those in the art, there may be some microspheres
which do not contain a bioactive agent, depending on the synthetic
methods. By "candidate bioactive agent" or "bioactive agent" or
"chemical functionality" or "binding ligand" herein is meant as
used herein describes any molecule, e.g., protein, oligopeptide,
small organic molecule, coordination complex, polysaccharide,
polynucleotide, etc. which can be attached to the microspheres of
the invention. It should be understood that the compositions of the
invention have two primary uses. In a preferred embodiment, as is
more fully outlined below, the compositions are used to detect the
presence of a particular target analyte; for example, the presence
or absence of a particular nucleotide sequence or a particular
protein, such as an enzyme, an antibody or an antigen. In an
alternate preferred embodiment, the compositions are used to screen
bioactive agents, i.e. drug candidates, for binding to a particular
target analyte.
Bioactive agents encompass numerous chemical classes, though
typically they are organic molecules, preferably small organic
compounds having a molecular weight of more than 100 and less than
about 2,500 Daltons. Bioactive agents comprise functional groups
necessary for structural interaction with proteins, particularly
hydrogen bonding, and typically include at least an amine,
carbonyl, hydroxyl or carboxyl group, preferably at least two of
the functional chemical groups. The bioactive agents often comprise
cyclical carbon or heterocyclic structures and/or aromatic or
polyaromatic structures substituted with one or more of the above
functional groups. Bioactive agents are also found among
biomolecules including peptides, nucleic acids, saccharides, fatty
acids, steroids, purines, pyrimidines, derivatives, structural
analogs or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred are nucleic
acids and proteins.
Bioactive agents can be obtained from a wide variety of sources
including libraries of synthetic or natural compounds. For example,
numerous means are available for random and directed synthesis of a
wide variety of organic compounds and biomolecules, including
expression of randomized oligonucleotides. Alternatively, libraries
of natural compounds in the form of bacterial, fungal, plant and
animal extracts are available or readily produced. Additionally,
natural or synthetically produced libraries and compounds are
readily modified through conventional chemical, physical and
biochemical means. Known pharmacological agents may be subjected to
directed or random chemical modifications, such as acylation,
alkylation, esterification and/or amidification to produce
structural analogs.
In a preferred embodiment, the bioactive agents are proteins. By
"protein" herein is meant at least two covalently attached amino
acids, which includes proteins, polypeptides, oligopeptides and
peptides. The protein may be made up of naturally occurring amino
acids and peptide bonds, or synthetic peptidomimetic structures.
Thus "amino acid", or "peptide residue", as used herein means both
naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids. For example,
homo-phenylalanine, citrulline and norleucine are considered amino
acids for the purposes of the invention. The side chains may be in
either the (R) or the (S) configuration. In the preferred
embodiment, the amino acids are in the (S) or L-configuration. If
non-naturally occurring side chains are used, non-amino acid
substituents may be used, for example to prevent or retard in vivo
degradations.
In one preferred embodiment, the bioactive agents are naturally
occurring proteins or fragments of naturally occurring proteins.
Thus, for example, cellular extracts containing proteins, or random
or directed digests of proteinaceous cellular extracts, may be
used. In this way libraries of procaryotic and eukaryotic proteins
may be made for screening in the systems described herein.
Particularly preferred in this embodiment are libraries of
bacterial, fungal, viral, and mammalian proteins, with the latter
being preferred, and human proteins being especially preferred.
In a preferred embodiment, the bioactive agents are peptides of
from about 5 to about 30 amino acids, with from about 5 to about 20
amino acids being preferred, and from about 7 to about 15 being
particularly preferred. The peptides may be digests of naturally
occurring proteins as is outlined above, random peptides, or
"biased" random peptides. By "randomized" or grammatical
equivalents herein is meant that each nucleic acid and peptide
consists of essentially random nucleotides and amino acids,
respectively. Since generally these random peptides (or nucleic
acids, discussed below) are chemically synthesized, they may
incorporate any nucleotide or amino acid at any position. The
synthetic process can be designed to generate randomized proteins
or nucleic acids, to allow the formation of all or most of the
possible combinations over the length of the sequence, thus forming
a library of randomized bioactive proteinaceous agents.
In a preferred embodiment, a library of bioactive agents are used.
The library should provide a sufficiently structurally diverse
population of bioactive agents to effect a probabilistically
sufficient range of binding to target analytes. Accordingly, an
interaction library must be large enough so that at least one of
its members will have a structure that gives it affinity for the
target analyte. Although it is difficult to gauge the required
absolute size of an inter-action library, nature provides a hint
with the immune response: a diversity of 10.sup.7-10.sup.8
different antibod-ies provides at least one combination with
sufficient affinity to interact with most potential antigens faced
by an organism. Published in vitro selection techniques have also
shown that a library size of 10.sup.7 to 10.sup.8 is sufficient to
find structures with affinity for the target. Thus, in a preferred
embodiment, at least 10.sup.6, preferably at least 10.sup.7, more
preferably at least 10.sup.8 and most preferably at least 10.sup.9
different bioactive agents are simultaneously analyzed in the
subject methods. Preferred methods maximize library size and
diversity.
In a preferred embodiment, the library is fully randomized, with no
sequence preferences or constants at any position. In a preferred
embodiment, the library is biased. That is, some positions within
the sequence are either held constant, or are selected from a
limited number of possibilities. For example, in a preferred
embodiment, the nucleotides or amino acid residues are randomized
within a defined class, for example, of hydrophobic amino acids,
hydrophilic residues, sterically biased (either small or large)
residues, towards the creation of cysteines, for cross-linking,
prolines for SH-3 domains, serines, threonines, tyrosines or
histidines for phosphorylation sites, etc., or to purines, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the bioactive agents are nucleic acids
(generally called "probe nucleic acids" or "candidate probes"
herein). By "nucleic acid" or "oligonucleotide" or grammatical
equivalents herein means at least two nucleotides covalently linked
together. A nucleic acid of the present invention will generally
contain phosphodiester bonds, although in some cases, as outlined
below, nucleic acid analogs are included that may have alternate
backbones, comprising, for example, phosphoramide (Beaucage, et
al., Tetrahedron, 49(10): 1925 (1993) and references therein;
Letsinger, J. Org. Chem., 35:3800 (1970); Sprinzl, et al., Eur. J.
Biochem., 81:579 (1977); Letsinger, et al., Nucl. Acids Res.,
14:3487 (1986); Sawai, et al., Chem. Lett., 805 (1984), Letsinger,
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110:4470 (1988); and Pauwels, et al.,
Chemica Scripta, 26:141 (1986)), phosphorothioate (Mag, et al.,
Nucleic Acids Res., 19:1437 (1991); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,048),
phosphorodithioate (Briu, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 111:2321
(1989)), O-methylphosphoroamidite linkages (see Eckstein,
Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, Oxford
University Press), and peptide nucleic acid backbones and linkages
(see Egholrn, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 114:1895 (1992); Meier, et al.,
Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 31:1008 (1992); Nielsen, Nature, 365:566
(1993); Carlsson, et al., Nature, 380:207 (1996), all of which are
incorporated by reference)). Other analog nucleic acids include
those with positive backbones (Denpcy, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA, 92:6097 (1995)); non-ionic backbones (U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,386,023; 5,637,684; 5,602,240; 5,216,141; and 4,469,863;
Kiedrowshi, et al., Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. English, 30:423 (1991);
Letsinger, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110:4470 (1988); Letsinger,
et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 13:1597 (1994); Chapters 2
and 3, ASC Symposium Series 580, "Carbohydrate Modifications in
Antisense Research", Ed. Y. S. Sanghui and P. Dan Cook; Mesmaeker,
et al., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chem. Lett., 4:395 (1994);
Jeffs, et al., J. Biomolecular NMR, 34:17 (1994); Tetrahedron
Lett., 37:743 (1996)) and non-ribose backbones, including those
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,033 and 5,034,506, and Chapters 6
and 7, ASC Symposium Series 580, "Carbohydrate Modifications in
Antisense Research", Ed. Y. S. Sanghui and P. Dan Cook. Nucleic
acids containing one or more carbocyclic sugars are also included
within the definition of nucleic acids (see Jenkins, et al., Chem.
Soc. Rev., (1995) pp. 169-176). Several nucleic acid analogs are
described in Rawls, C & E News, Jun. 2, 1997, page 35. All of
these references are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
These modifications of the ribose-phosphate backbone may be done to
facilitate the addition of additional moieties such as labels, or
to increase the stability and half-life of such molecules in
physiological environments; for example, PNA is particularly
preferred. In addition, mixtures of naturally occurring nucleic
acids and analogs can be made. Alternatively, mixtures of different
nucleic acid analogs, and mixtures of naturally occurring nucleic
acids and analogs may be made. The nucleic acids may be single
stranded or double stranded, as specified, or contain portions of
both double stranded or single stranded sequence. The nucleic acid
may be DNA, both genomic and cDNA, RNA or a hybrid, where the
nucleic acid contains any combination of deoxyribo- and
ribo-nucleotides, and any combination of bases, including uracil,
adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, inosine, xanthanine,
hypoxanthanine, isocytosine, isoguanine, and base analogs such as
nitropyrrole (including 3-nitropyrrole) and nitroindole (including
5-nitroindole), etc. In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid
preferably includes at least one universal base. Universal bases
are those that can substitute for any of the five natural bases,
that is, universal bases will basepair with all natural bases,
preferably equally well. Suitable universal bases include, but are
not limited to, inosine, hypoxanthine, 5-nitroindole, acylic
5-nitroindole, 4-nitropyrazole, 4-nitroimidazole and
3-nitropyrrole. See Loakes et al., Nucleic Acid Res. 22:4039
(1994); Van Aerschot et al., Nucleic Acid Res. 23:4363 (1995);
Nichols et al., Nature 369:492 (1994); Berstrom et al., Nucleic
Acid Res. 25: 1935 (1997); Loakes et al., Nucleic Acid Res. 23:2361
(1995); Loakes et al., J. Mol. Biol. 270:426 (1997); and Fotin et
al., Nucleic Acid Res. 26:1515 (1998); and references cited
therein, all of which are expressly incorporated by reference.
In a preferred embodiment, the bioactive agents are libraries of
clonal nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA. In this embodiment,
individual nucleic acids are prepared, generally using conventional
methods (including, but not limited to, propagation in plasmid or
phage vectors, amplification techniques including PCR, etc.). The
nucleic acids are preferably arrayed in some format, such as a
microtiter plate format, and beads added for attachment of the
libraries.
Attachment of the clonal libraries (or any of the nucleic acids
outlined herein) may be done in a variety of ways, as will be
appreciated by those in the art, including, but not limited to,
chemical or affinity capture (for example, including the
incorporation of derivatized nucleotides such as AminoLink or
biotinylated nucleotides that can then be used to attach the
nucleic acid to a surface, as well as affinity capture by
hybridization), cross-linking, and electrostatic attachment,
etc.
In a preferred embodiment, affinity capture is used to attach the
clonal nucleic acids to the beads. For example, cloned nucleic
acids can be derivatized, for example with one member of a binding
pair, and the beads derivatized with the other member of a binding
pair. Suitable binding pairs are as described herein for
identifier/decoder probe pairs. For example, the cloned nucleic
acids may be biotinylated (for example using enzymatic incorporate
of biotinylated nucleotides, for by photoactivated cross-linking of
biotin). Biotinylated nucleic acids can then be captured on
streptavidin-coated beads, as is known in the art. Similarly, other
hapten-receptor combinations can be used, such as digoxigenin and
anti-digoxigenin antibodies. Alternatively, chemical groups can be
added in the form of derivatized nucleotides, that can them be used
to add the nucleic acid to the surface.
Preferred attachments are covalent, although even relatively weak
interactions (i.e. non-covalent) can be sufficient to attach a
nucleic acid to a surface, if there are multiple sites of
attachment per each nucleic acid. Thus, for example, electrostatic
interactions can be used for attachment, for example by having
beads carrying the opposite charge to the bioactive agent.
Similarly, affinity capture utilizing hybridization can be used to
attach cloned nucleic acids to beads. For example, as is known in
the art, polyA+RNA is routinely captured by hybridization to
oligo-dT beads; this may include oligo-dT capture followed by a
cross-linking step, such as psoralen crosslinking). If the nucleic
acids of interest do not contain a polyA tract, one can be attached
by polymerization with terminal transferase, or via ligation of an
oligoA linker, as is known in the art.
Alternatively, chemical crosslinking may be done, for example by
photoactivated crosslinking of thymidine to reactive groups, as is
known in the art.
As described above generally for proteins, nucleic acid bioactive
agents may be naturally occurring nucleic acids, random nucleic
acids, or "biased" random nucleic acids. For example, digests of
prokaryotic or eukaryotic genomes may be used as is outlined above
for proteins.
In general, probes of the present invention are designed to be
complementary to a target sequence (either the target analyte
sequence of the sample or to other probe sequences, as is described
herein), such that hybridization of the target and the probes of
the present invention occurs.
In some embodiments, this complementarity is preferably perfect.
For example, as is more fully outlined below, the decoding probes
are designed to allow discrimination between perfect
complementarity and mismatches at the decoding position. Therefore,
the decoding probes of the invention preferably contain no
mismatches.
However, for other embodiments, and in some cases for non-decoding
position decoding probes, this complementarity need not be perfect;
there may be any number of base pair mismatches that will interfere
with hybridization between the probes and their target sequences.
However, if the number of mutations is so great that no
hybridization can occur under even the least stringent of
hybridization conditions, the sequence is not a complementary
target sequence. Thus, by "substantially complementary" herein is
meant that the probes are sufficiently complementary to the target
sequences to hybridize under the selected reaction conditions. High
stringency conditions are known in the art; see for example
Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning; A Laboratory Manual, 2d
Edition, 1989, and Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, ed.
Ausubel, et al., both of which are hereby incorporated by
reference. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be
different in different circumstances. Longer sequences hybridize
specifically at higher temperatures. An extensive guide to the
hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen, Techniques in
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-Hybridization with Nucleic Acid
Probes, "Overview of principles of hybridization and the strategy
of nucleic acid assays" (1993). Generally, stringent conditions are
selected to be about 5-10.degree. C. lower than the thermal melting
point (T.sub.m) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic
strength pH. The T.sub.m is the temperature (under defined ionic
strength, pH and nucleic acid concentration) at which 50% of the
probes complementary to the target hybridize to the target sequence
at equilibrium (as the target sequences are present in excess, at
T.sub.m, 50% of the probes are occupied at equilibrium). Stringent
conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is less
than about 1.0 M sodium ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M sodium
ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the
temperature is at least about 30.degree. C. for short probes (e.g.
10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60.degree. C. for long
probes (e.g. greater than 50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions may
also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such as
formamide, In another embodiment, less stringent hybridization
conditions are used; for example, moderate or low stringency
conditions may be used, as are known in the art; see Maniatis and
Ausubel, supra, and Tijssen, supra.
The term `target sequence" or grammatical equivalents herein means
a nucleic acid sequence on a single strand of nucleic acid. The
target sequence may be a portion of a gene, a regulatory sequence,
genomic DNA, cDNA, RNA including mRNA and rRNA, or others. It may
be any length, with the understanding that longer sequences are
more specific. As will be appreciated by those in the art, the
complementary target sequence may take many forms. For example, it
may be contained within a larger nucleic acid sequence, i.e. all or
part of a gene or mRNA, a restriction fragment of a plasmid or
genomic DNA, among others. As is outlined more fully below, probes
are made to hybridize to target sequences to determine the presence
or absence of the target sequence in a sample. Generally speaking,
this term will be understood by those skilled in the art.
In a preferred embodiment, the bioactive agents are organic
chemical moieties, a wide variety of which are available in the
literature.
In a preferred embodiment, each bead comprises a single type of
bioactive agent, although a plurality of individual bioactive
agents are preferably attached to each bead. Similarly, preferred
embodiments utilize more than one microsphere containing a unique
bioactive agent; that is, there is redundancy built into the system
by the use of subpopulations of microspheres, each microsphere in
the subpopulation containing the same bioactive agent.
As will be appreciated by those in the art, the bioactive agents
may either be synthesized directly on the beads, or they may be
made and then attached after synthesis. In a preferred embodiment,
linkers are used to attach the bioactive agents to the beads, to
allow both good attachment, sufficient flexibility to allow good
interaction with the target molecule, and to avoid undesirable
binding reactions.
In a preferred embodiment, the bioactive agents are synthesized
directly on the beads. As is known in the art, many classes of
chemical compounds are currently synthesized on solid supports,
including beads, such as peptides, organic moieties, and nucleic
acids.
In a preferred embodiment, the bioactive agents are synthesized
first, and then covalently attached to the beads. As will be
appreciated by those in the art, this will be done depending on the
composition of the bioactive agents and the beads. The
functionalization of solid support surfaces such as certain
polymers with chemically reactive groups such as thiols, amines,
carboxyls, etc. is generally known in the art. Accordingly, "blank"
microspheres may be used that have surface chemistries that
facilitate the attachment of the desired functionality by the user.
Some examples of these surface chemistries for blank microspheres
include, but are not limited to, amino groups including aliphatic
and aromatic amines, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, amides,
chloromethyl groups, hydrazide, hydroxyl groups, sulfonates and
sulfates.
These functional groups can be used to add any number of different
candidate agents to the beads, generally using known chemistries.
For example, candidate agents containing carbohydrates may be
attached to an amino-functionalized support; the aldehyde of the
carbohydrate is made using standard techniques, and then the
aldehyde is reacted with an amino group on the surface. In an
alternative embodiment, a sulfhydryl linker may be used. There are
a number of sulfhydryl reactive linkers known in the art such as
SPDP, maleimides, .alpha.-haloacetyls, and pyridyl disulfides (see
for example the 1994 Pierce Chemical Company catalog, technical
section on cross-linkers, pages 155-200, incorporated herein by
reference) which can be used to attach cysteine containing
proteinaceous agents to the support. Alternatively, an amino group
on the candidate agent may be used for attachment to an amino group
on the surface. For example, a large number of stable bifunctional
groups are well known in the art, including homo bifunctional and
heterobifunctional linkers (see Pierce Catalog and Handbook, pages
155-200). In an additional embodiment, carboxyl groups (either from
the surface or from the candidate agent) may be derivatized using
well known linkers (see the Pierce catalog). For example,
carbodiimides activate carboxyl groups for attack by good
nucleophiles such as amines (see Torchilin et al., Critical Rev.
Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems. 7(4):275.308 (1991), expressly
incorporated herein). Proteinaceous candidate agents may also be
attached using other techniques known in the art, for example for
the attachment of antibodies to polymers; see Slinkin et al.,
Bioconj Chem. 2:342-348 (1991); Torchilin et al., supra; Trubetskoy
et al., Bioconj. Chem. 3:323-327 (1992); King et al., Cancer Res.
54:6176-6185 (1994); and Wilbur et al., Bioconjugate Chem.
5:220-235 (1994), all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference). It should be understood that the candidate agents may
be attached in a variety of ways, including those listed above.
Preferably, the manner of attachment does not significantly alter
the functionality of the candidate agent; that is, the candidate
agent should be attached in such a flexible manner as to allow its
interaction with a target.
Specific techniques for immobilizing enzymes on microspheres are
known in the prior art. In one case, NH.sub.2 surface chemistry
microspheres are used. Surface activation is achieved with a 2.5%
glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffered saline (10 mM) providing a pH
of 6.9. (138 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM, KCl). This is stirred on a stir bed
for approximately 2 hours at room temperature. The microspheres are
then rinsed with ultrapure water plus 0.01% tween 20
(surfactant)-0.02%, and rinsed again with a pH 7.7 PBS plus 0.01%
tween 20. Finally, the enzyme is added to the solution, preferably
after being prefiltered using a 0.45 .mu.m amicon micropure
filter.
In a preferred embodiment, the microspheres additionally comprise
identifier nucleic acids for use in the combinatorial decoding
system of the invention.
Generally, the identifier probes (IP) and decoder probes (DP) range
from about 4 basepairs in length to about 1000, with from about 6
to about 100 being preferred, and from about 8 to about 40 being
particularly preferred. What is important is that the probes are
long enough to be specific, i.e. to distinguish between different
IP-DP pairs, yet short enough to allow both a) dissociation, if
necessary, under suitable experimental conditions, and b) efficient
hybridization.
In a preferred embodiment, as outlined above, each subpopulation of
beads comprises identifier probes (which may be the candidate
agents or not) that comprise a primer sequence and a decoding
sequence adjacent to the primer sequence. By "primer sequence"
herein is meant a nucleic acid sequence that is long enough to
allow hybridization of a decoder probe in a sequence specific
manner. Generally, the primer sequences range from about 2 to about
50 basepairs, with from about 4 to about 40 being preferred, and
from about 5 to about 20 being particularly preferred.
In a preferred embodiment, the primer sequence is the same for all
identifier probes in the array. In an additional preferred
embodiment, different sets of primers are used in an array.
Directly adjacent to the primer sequence in the identifier probe is
the decoding sequence. By "decoding sequence" herein is meant the
nucleic acid which identifies the candidate agent on the bead. That
is, the identity of the candidate agent on the bead must be
correlated to a position on the array, and this is done using the
decoding sequence, that is either itself the candidate agent or it
identifies the candidate agent. At the time the array is made, the
decoding sequence on any particular bead is unknown, and must be
elucidated as described herein.
The length of the decoding sequence will vary with the size of the
array and its purpose. For example, when the identifier probes are
different from the candidate agents, the number of different
"codes" will depend on the size of the array. Thus, for an array
size of 1000, the decoding sequences must be 5 nucleotides long
(4.sup.5=1024) to ensure a unique decoding sequence for each
candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment the decoding sequence
contains from 1 to 1000 nucleotides; in a particularly preferred
embodiment, the decoding sequence contains from 1 to 100
nucleotides in a most preferred embodiment the decoding sequence
contains from 1 to 20 nucleotides.
When the decoding sequence is the candidate agent, the length of
the decoding sequence will depend on the use of the array and the
required level of specificity of the probes for a particular target
sequence, as is generally outlined above.
In a preferred embodiment, the identifier probe is first
synthesized and then attached to the beads. In this embodiment, the
beads are first functionalized as described herein, to allow for
attachment of the nucleic acids. In one embodiment, the beads may
comprise a linker (or adapter) sequence to which the coding probe
hybridizes. Examples of adapters are disclosed in U.S. Ser. Nos.
60/135,123 and 60/160,917, both of which are expressly incorporated
herein by reference.
In an alternative embodiment, the identifier probe is synthesized
directly on the beads. In this embodiment, the beads are first
functionalized with an anchor sequence and then carried through a
split and mix synthesis to create all possible n-mers in the bead
library.
In a preferred embodiment, the primer sequence is first attached to
or synthesized on the beads. Following this, the decoding sequence
is synthesized by split and mix synthesis. An example is
illustrative of the system.
As demonstrated below, the beads are first functionalized with the
primer sequence (SUVWXYZ) and then carried through a split and mix
synthesis to create all possible n-mers as probes on the bead
library.
##STR00001## This type of probe set is universal in that any target
sequence can in principle be analyzed. In a preferred embodiment
the probes are used to decode an array as described herein.
There are various difficulties with the approach that have
previously hindered its effective implementation. Primarily, the
number of probes required scales exponentially with probe length.
For example, to represent each possible nucleic acid of a
combinatorial probe of 8 nucleotides in length would require the
synthesis of 65,356 nucleic acids. However, by the use of the split
and mix combinatorial synthesis, synthesizing this number of
nucleic acids requires only eight steps. That is, to synthesize
probes of length n requires at least 4n reactions, and generates
4.sup.n sequences (Table 1). However, as each of 4 nucleotides are
reacted simultaneously (yet independently) in each step, the number
of steps required to synthesize a vast number of probes is
minimized.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 The number of unique probe sequences scales
exponentially with probe length. Probe Length = Synthesis Number of
Synthesis Steps Reactions Probes n 4n 4.sup.n 4 16 256 8 32 65,536
10 40 1,048,576 15 60 1.07 .times. 10.sup.9 20 80 1.10 .times.
10.sup.12
As can be seen from the table, although the number of probes in a
universal set can be very large, the actual number of synthetic
steps is quite small. This means that the probe libraries can be
synthesized on a large scale in a very efficient manner.
Importantly, if the synthesis is truly combinatorial, and all probe
sequences are made, then no complex masking strategies are
required. Entirely straightforward large-scale combinatorial
synthesis techniques can be used to make sufficient beads to
assemble effectively limitless numbers of arrays relatively
cheaply, creating the potential for widespread dissemination of the
technology.
In addition, decoding of the array, i.e., elucidation of the
identity of the identifier probe also is accomplished with a
combinatorially prepared library. That is, sets of decoding probes
as described herein are synthesized. In a preferred embodiment, the
decoding probes are synthesized using the split and mix synthesis
approach.
In a preferred embodiment, the microspheres do not contain an
optical signature. That is, as outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,540
and U.S. Ser. No. 09/151,877, previous work had each subpopulation
of microspheres comprising a unique optical signature or optical
tag that is used to identify the unique bioactive agent of that
subpopulation of microspheres; that is, decoding utilizes optical
properties of the beads such that a bead comprising the unique
optical signature may be distinguished from beads at other
locations with different optical signatures. Thus the previous work
assigned each bioactive agent a unique optical signature such that
any microspheres comprising that bioactive agent are identifiable
on the basis of the signature. These optical signatures comprised
dyes, usually chromophores or fluorophores, that were entrapped or
attached to the beads themselves. Diversity of optical signatures
utilized different fluorochromes, different ratios of mixtures of
fluorochromes, and different concentrations (intensities) of
fluorochromes.
Thus, the present invention does not rely solely on the use of
optical properties to decode the arrays. However, as will be
appreciated by those in the art, it is possible in some embodiments
to utilize optical signatures as an additional coding method, in
conjunction with the present system. Thus, for example, as is more
fully outlined below, the size of the array may be effectively
increased while using a single set of decoding probes in several
ways, one of which is the use of optical signatures one some beads.
Thus, for example, using one "set" of decoding probes, the use of
two populations of beads, one with an optical signature and one
without, allows the effective doubling of the array size. The use
of multiple optical signatures similarly increases the possible
size of the array.
In addition, the use of different concentrations or densities of
IPs allows a "reuse" of sorts. If, for example, the bead comprising
a first agent has a 1.times. concentration of IP, and a second bead
comprising a second agent has a 10.times. concentration of IP,
using saturating concentrations of the corresponding labelled DP
allows the user to distinguish between the two beads.
Once the microspheres comprising the candidate agents and the
identifier probes (or, in the case where the candidate agents are
nucleic acids, just the candidate agents) are generated, they are
added to the substrate to form an array. In general, the methods of
making the arrays and of decoding the arrays is done to maximize
the number of different candidate agents that can be uniquely
encoded. The compositions of the invention may be made in a variety
of ways. In general, the arrays are made by adding a solution or
slurry comprising the beads to a surface containing the sites for
attachment of the beads. This may be done in a variety of buffers,
including aqueous and organic solvents, and mixtures. The solvent
can evaporate, and excess beads removed.
It should be noted that not all sites of an array may comprise a
bead; that is, there may be some sites on the substrate surface
which are empty. In addition, there may be some sites that contain
more than one bead, although this is not preferred.
In some embodiments, for example when chemical attachment is done,
it is possible to attach the beads in a non-random or ordered way.
For example, using photoactivatible attachment linkers or
photoactivatible adhesives or masks, selected sites on the array
may be sequentially rendered suitable for attachment, such that
defined populations of beads are laid down.
Generally, decoding the array proceeds via a set of combinatorial
decoding probes. There are two general types of decoding sets:
those that rely on universal bases and those that do not.
Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention
provides decoding compositions comprising a plurality of nucleic
acids. In a preferred embodiment, each decoding nucleic acid of the
decoding composition is the same length, that is, contains the same
number of bases. This is preferable because it generally simplifies
the hybridization conditions required to discriminate the perfect
and imperfect complementarity required in the intention.
Alternatively, the plurality of nucleic acids comprises subsets
each with the same number of nucleic acids, but each subset
comprising a discrete number of bases.
By "plurality" in this context is meant at least two sets of
nucleic acids, although in a more preferred embodiment "plurality"
indicates at least 4 sets, that is, the plurality should preferably
comprise four subsets of nucleic acids, each subset comprising a
unique nucleotide at the decoding position of the variable position
as described below. In an additional preferred embodiment
"plurality" indicates at least 8 sets of nucleic acids.
In this embodiment, each decoding nucleic acid comprises an
invariant or priming sequence. As outlined herein, this priming
sequence is substantially complementary to the primer sequence of
the identifier probe and thus will hybridize to it. By "invariant"
or "priming" sequence herein is meant that portion of the decoding
probe that is substantially complementary to the primer sequence of
the identifier probe on the bead. In a preferred embodiment, all
priming sequences are identical.
In this embodiment, each decoding nucleic acid comprises a variable
sequence. By "variable" sequence herein is meant that portion of
the decoding probe that comprises at least one position that
comprises different nucleotides.
The variable sequence comprises at least one, and generally a
plurality (e.g. at least two) of decoding nucleotide positions
(sometimes referred to herein as "detection positions"). By
"decoding nucleotide position" or "detection position" herein is
meant the nucleotide position under interrogation; that is, it will
basepair with the corresponding coding position on the identifier
nucleic acid on the bead. As will be appreciated by those in the
art, generally a variable sequence comprises a string of decoding
positions, with each decoding step elucidating the base at one
decoding position.
In one embodiment, the variable region comprises one position. That
is, the set of decoder probes comprises the invariant region and
one variable position that comprises each nucleotide used in the
synthesis of the nucleic acid. Generally, this includes each of the
frequently used nucleotides A, T, G, C or U. In this embodiment,
the variable region is also the detection position.
In an alternative embodiment, the detection position comprises a
random distribution of only that number of nucleotides desired to
be included in the decoding segment of the nucleic acid. That is,
when it is not necessary to have the probe complexity that results
from the random distribution of 4 nucleotides, it may be desirable
to have probes that have a random distribution of only 2 or 3
nucleotides at each detection position.
In another embodiment, the variable region comprises more than one
nucleotide. That is, the variable region comprises at least one
nucleotide position in addition to the detection position.
Accordingly, by "spacer nucleotides" or "spacer positions" is meant
the nucleotides in the variable region other than the detection
position. In this embodiment, at each spacer nucleotide position
all possible nucleotides are represented in at least one nucleic
acid of the set. Alternatively, as outlined herein, universal bases
are used. That is, like the detection nucleotide, spacer positions
also comprise combinatorial nucleotides, however, they are not
labeled. This allows for discrimination of the detection
nucleotide.
In a preferred embodiment, the library of decoding probes comprises
all possible variable sequences for a given length. That is, at
each position of the variable sequence, at least one nucleic of the
library comprises each nucleotide utilized in the synthesis of the
nucleic acid. Thus, the variable sequences comprise combinatorial
nucleotides or a random distribution of all possible combinations
of nucleotides used in the synthesis of the variable sequence.
In a preferred embodiment, each decoding probe comprises a label.
In a preferred embodiment, the nucleotide decoding position
comprises the label. That is, the same position in each nucleic
acid of a set comprises a label. By "label" or "labeled" herein is
meant that a compound has at least one element, isotope or chemical
compound attached to enable the detection of the compound.
Preferably, each label is specific to a particular nucleotide. That
is, A is labeled with a discrete label; T is labeled with a
discrete label etc. In general, labels fall into three classes: a)
isotopic labels, which may be radioactive or heavy isotopes; b)
magnetic, electrical, thermal; and c) colored or luminescent dyes;
although labels include enzymes and particles such as magnetic
particles as well. The dyes may be chromophores or phosphors but
are preferably fluorescent dyes, which due to their strong signals
provide a good signal-to-noise ratio for decoding. Suitable dyes
for use in the invention include, but are not limited to,
fluorescent lanthanide complexes, including those of Europium and
Terbium, fluorescein, rhodamine, tetramethylrhodamine, eosin,
erythrosin, coumarin, methyl-coumarins, pyrene, Malacite green,
stilbene, Lucifer Yellow, Cascade Blue.TM., Texas Red, and others
described in the 6th Edition of the Molecular Probes Handbook by
Richard P. Haugland, hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
Additional labels include nanocrystals or Q-dots as described in
U.S. Ser. No. 09/315,584, hereby expressly incorporated by
reference.
In a preferred embodiment, a secondary detectable label is used. A
secondary label is one that is indirectly detected; for example, a
secondary label can bind or react with a primary label for
detection, can act on an additional product to generate a primary
label (e.g. enzymes), or may allow the separation of the compound
comprising the secondary label from unlabeled materials, etc.
Secondary labels find particular use in systems requiring
separation of labeled and unlabeled probes, such as SBE, OLA,
invasive cleavage reactions, etc; in addition, these techniques may
be used with many of the other techniques described herein.
Secondary labels include, but are not limited to, one of a binding
partner pair; chemically modifiable moieties; nuclease inhibitors,
enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatases,
lucifierases, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the secondary label is a binding partner
pair. For example, the label may be a hapten or antigen, which will
bind its binding partner. In a preferred embodiment, the binding
partner can be attached to a solid support to allow separation of
extended and non-extended primers. For example, suitable binding
partner pairs include, but are not limited to: antigens (such as
proteins (including peptides) and antibodies (including fragments
thereof (FAbs, etc.)); proteins and small molecules, including
biotin/streptavidin; enzymes and substrates or inhibitors; other
protein-protein interacting pairs; receptor-ligands; and
carbohydrates and their binding partners. Nucleic acid-nucleic acid
binding proteins pairs are also useful. In general, the smaller of
the pair is attached to the NTP for incorporation into the primer.
Preferred binding partner pairs include, but are not limited to,
biotin (or imino-biotin) and streptavidin, digeoxinin and Abs, and
Prolinx.TM. reagents (see www.prolinxinc.com/ie4/home.hmtl).
In a preferred embodiment, the binding partner pair comprises
biotin or imino-biotin and streptavidin. Imino-biotin is
particularly preferred as imino-biotin disassociates from
streptavidin in pH 4.0 buffer while biotin requires harsh
denaturants (e.g. 6 M guanidinium HCl, pH 1.5 or 90% formamide at
95.degree. C.).
In a preferred embodiment, the binding partner pair comprises a
primary detection label (for example, attached to the NTP and
therefore to the extended primer) and an antibody that will
specifically bind to the primary detection label. By "specifically
bind" herein is meant that the partners bind with specificity
sufficient to differentiate between the pair and other components
or contaminants of the system. The binding should be sufficient to
remain bound under the conditions of the assay, including wash
steps to remove non-specific binding. In some embodiments, the
dissociation constants of the pair will be less than about
10.sup.-4-10.sup.-6 M.sup.-1, with less than about 10.sup.-5 to 10
M.sup.-1 being preferred and less than about 10.sup.-7-10.sup.-9
M.sup.-1 being particularly preferred.
In a preferred embodiment, the secondary label is a chemically
modifiable moiety. In this embodiment, labels comprising reactive
functional groups are incorporated into the nucleic acid. The
functional group can then be subsequently labeled with a primary
label. Suitable functional groups include, but are not limited to,
amino groups, carboxy groups, maleimide groups, oxo groups and
thiol groups, with amino groups and thiol groups being particularly
preferred. For example, primary labels containing amino groups can
be attached to secondary labels comprising amino groups, for
example using linkers as are known in the art; for example, homo-
or hetero-bifunctional linkers as are well known (see 1994 Pierce
Chemical Company catalog, technical section on cross-linkers, pages
155-200, incorporated herein by reference).
However, in some embodiments, each nucleotide of the detection
position is labeled with the same label, for example when four
reactions or detection steps are performed as outlined herein, or
when four arrays are analyzed. In a preferred embodiment, as is
more fully outlined herein, the label is a fluorophore. In a
preferred embodiment, the label is attached to the base of the
nucleotide.
In an alternative embodiment, the decoding compositions comprise a
plurality or library of nucleic acids comprising variable sequences
comprising a plurality of nucleotide decoding positions. In a
preferred embodiment, by "library" herein is meant at least two
sets of nucleic acids, although in a more preferred embodiment
"library" indicates at least 4 sets, while in most preferred
embodiment "library" indicates at least 8 sets of nucleic
acids.
In a preferred embodiment, when the variable sequence comprises a
plurality of nucleotide decoding positions, at least one of the
plurality comprises at least one universal base as described herein
in the variable sequence. When universal bases are used, it should
be understood that other nucleotides do not occupy this
position.
In some embodiments, each nucleic acid of the plurality or library
comprises a plurality of universal bases. In some embodiments
universal bases occupy some, but not all of the spacer positions.
That is, the variable region may comprise any combination of
positions comprising universal bases and positions comprising
random nucleotides. In a preferred embodiment, universal bases and
random nucleotides comprise alternate positions of the spacer
positions. For example, X-N-X-N . . . , where X indicates a
universal base, and N represents either A, T, G, C or U.
In one embodiment, universal bases are used in some subset of the
positions. This allows the complexity of the probe set to be
reduced while retaining specificity. For example, universal bases
could be incorporated at every other position, every two positions,
etc. In some embodiments it may be desirable to intersperce
sections of universal bases with "tack down" points of
non-universal bases.
In an alternative embodiment, universal bases are used in every
position that is not part of the priming sequence nor is the
decoding position; this will result in only four decoding probes
used.
In a preferred embodiment, only one type of universal base is used
in all the decoding probes. However, this may not be desirable when
the universal base has some residual sequence bias. Thus, in a
preferred embodiment, mixtures of universal bases are used. In
general, this may be done in several ways. In a preferred
embodiment, two (or more) different universal bases are alternated
within the probes (ABABABAB, etc.). Alternatively, the universal
bases may be mixed at each position
((A/B)(A/B)(A/B)(A/B)(A/B)(A/B), etc.). The latter results in a
more complex probe set, but the use of two universal bases requires
fewer decoding probes than if all four bases are used.
In a preferred embodiment the detection position comprises the
terminal nucleotide position of the nucleic acid sequence of the
set. As an example, the nucleic acid comprises in a 5' to 3'
orientation (although the reverse orientation i.e. 3' to 5', also
would work): 5'-constant region-variable region (including spacer
positions)-detection position*-3', where * indicates a label.
In an alternative embodiment, the detection position is not the
terminal position, but rather there are additional spacer positions
3' to the detection position. As an example, the nucleic acid
comprises in a 5' to 3 orientation: 5'-constant region-spacer
nucleotide(s)-detection position*-spacer nucleotides-3', where *
indicates a label.
Generally, the decoder probes comprise from 4 basepairs in length
to about 1000, with from about 6 to about 100 being preferred, and
from about 8 to about 40 being particularly preferred.
Accordingly, the invention provides kits comprising a plurality of
sets of nucleic acids as described above. In a preferred embodiment
the kit comprises sets of nucleic acids wherein the variable region
of each set comprises a different length. That is, one set
comprises a variable region comprising one nucleotide, another set
comprises a variable region comprising 2 nucleotides, etc.
Theoretically, there is no upper limit to the length of the
variable region; accordingly, there is no theoretical upper limit
to the size of the set. However, from a practical standpoint, the
variable region is preferably from 1 to 1000 nucleotides in length,
with from 1 to 100 nucleotides in length preferred, and from 1 to
30 being particularly preferred.
In a preferred embodiment, the kit comprises sets of nucleic acids
comprising all successive lengths of nucleic acids up to the
maximal length desired. That is, if it is desired to have a maximal
length of 10 nucleotides in the variable region, the kit comprises
a set with a variable region of 1 nucleotide, a set with a variable
region of 2, a set with a variable region of 3, a set with a
variable region of 4, a set with a variable region of 5, a set with
a variable region of 6, a set with a variable region of 7, a set
with a variable region of 8, a set with a variable region of 9, and
a set with a variable region of 10 nucleotides.
In an alternative embodiment, the kits comprise sets of nucleic
acids with only a subset of successive lengths represented in the
kit. That is, it may not be necessary for a particular kit to
comprise the degree of complexity of nucleic acids that would
result from having all possible combinations of nucleotides at each
position of the variable region. This is particularly true as the
variable region increases in length. Accordingly, the kits are
designed such that only a subset of probe lengths are included in
the kit.
In a preferred embodiment, the detection position of each set is
the terminal nucleotide of the nucleic acid. Preferably, the
detection position comprises a label, as described above.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the kit comprises sets of
nucleic acids, wherein the length of the variable region is
constant. However, in this embodiment, the position of the
detection position is distinct for each set. That is, in one set
the detection position is at the first position of the variable
region; in another set, the detection position is at the second
position, etc.
In one embodiment, the kit comprises sets, where the detection
position is located at all possible positions of the variable
region in a particular set of the kit. That is, for example, as
described above, when the variable region comprises 10 nucleotides,
the kit comprises a set with the detection at the first position, a
set with the detection position at the second position etc. As
described above, the nucleotide at the detection position is
labeled.
One potential drawback to this approach is that large numbers of
decoding probes must be used to decode longer probes. Thus, to
decode 6 positions requires 4096 probes, 7 positions requires 16384
probes, etc. However one significant advantage of the present
invention is that decoding probes can be made using combinatorial
split and mix synthesis. Thus, although there is still a
requirement for large numbers of probes, the probe synthesis is no
longer a cumbersome step because of the power of the combinatorial
approach to synthesis. An example is illustrative.
In the first step, a supply of the BDEFHIJ sequence is prepared.
BDEFHIJ is complementary to the primer sequence SUVWXYZ (described
above). First, four solutions are used to add A, C, G, and T to the
complementary sequence to make decoding sequences 1a-d. Most of
solutions 1a-d are combined. Next, the four solutions are labeled
such that A is coupled to F.sub.1, C is coupled to F.sub.2 G is
coupled to F.sub.3 and T is coupled to F.sub.4. These labeled
sequences are then pooled to form decoding solution 1.
##STR00002## The combined, but unlabeled, 1a-d pooled solution is
then divided into four portions and used iteratively in split and
mix to prepare all possible sequences up to n-mers.
##STR00003##
In each case, as the pool is extended by one base, one additional
solution is created containing all possible sequences of that
length with the four terminal nucleotides encoded by one of the
different fluorecent labels.
Accordingly, for decoding to proceed, the decoding probes of the
invention are added to the array. The detection of the label
indicates the nucleotide present at the detection position of the
decoder probe, or indicates the complement of the position being
interrogated in the decoder portion of the identifier probe.
In a preferred embodiment, the decoding probes of the invention are
used in sets, and sequentially decode one base at a time, starting
with the base adjacent to the primer sequence. Thus, the detection
nucleotide is positioned such that it interrogates a nucleotide of
the decoding sequence of the identifier probe. The first detection
position is directly adjacent to the primer sequence; the second
detection position is adjacent to the first; the third is adjacent
to the second; etc. Once the nucleotide of the first detection
position has been elucidated, the first set of decoding probes are
removed, and, if additional sequence information is required, a
second set is added. As described above, in a preferred embodiment,
the detection position is the terminal position of the probe. In
this embodiment, each set of probes comprises probes of
successively increasingly length because of the addition of a new
detection position to the terminus of the probe. When decoding
using decoding probes wherein the detection position is the
terminal position of the probe, it may be necessary to use higher
stringency conditions than, for example, when decoding using probes
wherein the detection position is an internal nucleotide. In a
preferred embodiment, formamide is included to increase
stringency.
In an alternative embodiment, the detection position is not
necessarily the terminal position, but rather an internal position
of the variable portion of the decoder probe. In this embodiment,
the probes can be the same length and sets differ by the position
of the detection nucleotide.
For each detection position, a set of decoding probes is used. By
"set" herein is meant a plurality of probes, each with a different
sequence, that is used to elucidate the identity of the detection
position and as a result identify the sequence of the decoding
sequence of the identifier probe. Within each set, there are
preferably at least four subsets of probes, each subset comprising
a different nucleotide at the detection position, i.e. a different
detection nucleotide. As outlined herein, there may be more than
four subsets of probes, particularly when no universal bases are
used and it is the second, third, etc. detection position that is
being elucidated.
For decoding to proceed, a first set of combinatorial decoding
probes is added to the array. Each decoding probe comprises a
priming sequence complementary to the primer sequence of the
identifier probes. In a preferred embodiment, the priming sequence
is perfectly complementary to the primer sequence, although in some
embodiments, some mismatches are acceptable and substantial
complementarity is acceptable.
An example is illustrative of the system. An identifier probe
comprises the sequence ATCGATCGTACTAC (SEQ ID NO: 33) with the
primer being shown in italics and the first decoding position in
bold. A first set of decoder probes is added, comprising TAGCTAGCA,
TAGCTAGCT, TAGCTAGCC and TAGCTAGCG, with the priming sequence shown
in italics and the decoding nucleotide underlined. Each of the
decoding nucleotides comprises a detectable label distinguishable
from the others, preferably a fluorophore as outlined herein. The
first decoder probe, TAGCTAGCA, will hybridize more efficiently,
and the signal from the A label will be more intense than the
signal from the other three decoding probes. Thus, the first base
of the identifier probe can be identified as a T.
In a preferred embodiment, a second set of decoding probes is
added. In this second round, the position of the second decoding
position is shown in bold, ATCGATCGTACTAC (SEQ ID NO: 33). A
preferred embodiment utilizes 16 decoding probes: 4 probes having
the sequence TAGCTAGCXA (SEQ ID NO: 34), where X is either A, T, C
or G; 4 probes having the sequence TAGCTAGCXT (SEQ ID NO: 35),
where X is either A, T, C or G; 4 probes having the sequence
TAGCTAGCXC (SEQ ID NO: 36), where X is either A, T, C or G; and 4
probes having the sequence TAGCTAGCXG (SEQ ID NO: 37), where X is
either A, T, C or G. In a sense, the first decoding position then
becomes part of the primer/priming sequence. In this case, the
TAGCTAGCAT (SEQ ID NO: 38) probe will hybridize the most
efficiently. This can be repeated for additional cycles.
The decoding probes are added under hybridization conditions that
allow differentiation between the subset that is exactly
complementary to the decoding sequence and those that are not.
In general, the first set of decoding probes is added, allowed to
hybridize for some period of time, and the excess (non-hybridized)
probes are washed off. Detection of the fluorophore then proceeds
as outlined below. Following detection of the first set of probes,
the probes are removed, for example by heating, and a second set of
decoder probes is added.
In this way, by sequentially adding sets of decoding probes, the
sequence of the decoding sequence of the identifier probe is
elucidated, thus allowing a correlation of the identifier probe to
a location on the array, and, if applicable, the identification of
the bound candidate agent as well.
When combinatorially prepared probes are used, all nucleotides
appear at each position of the decoding segment of the probe. As
such, in each set of decoder probes, there is a perfect complement
for each identifier probe, however, only the terminal base is
decoded at each step. The process of dehybridization followed by
exposure to subsequent decoder probes continues until the entire
array has been positionally decoded. In a sense, the process walks
along the probes and sequences them one base at a time. In this
manner, over a million sequences in the array can be decoded upon
exposure to only 10 decoder probe sets (4.sup.10), as exemplified
in the following table (Table 2).
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Codes scale exponentially while decoding
steps increase linearly. E.g. four colors and five sequential
hybridizations can identify 1,024 probes. Number of Sequential
Number of fluors steps codes Expanded 4 5 4.sup.5 =1,024 4 10
4.sup.10 =1,048,576 n m n.sup.m
In an alternative embodiment, when each nucleotide of the detection
position is labeled with the same label, decoding may still
proceed. In this embodiment, after each step of the split and mix
synthesis, as described above, aliquots of each solution are set
aside as four separate decoding solutions. The remainder of the
solutions are pooled and split and mix synthesis proceeds. Decoding
is accomplished by exposing the array to each decoding probe
sequentially and analyzing the label. Although decoding in this
manner necessitates additional steps, the user only needs to label
probes with a single label. In addition, label detection is
facilitated when the user does not have the equipment to analyze
multiple different signals. An example is illustrative.
Again, the primer sequence BDEFGHIJ is synthesized. However, in
contrast to the synthesis above that utilized a different fluor for
each additional nucleotide, in this embodiment, the same fluor is
used at each step of synthesis, although different nucleotides are
added the primer sequence.
##STR00004##
Aliquots of solutions 1a-d are kept as four separate decoding
solutions. Most of solutions 1a-d are pooled, separated into four
reaction vessels and treated with the four nucleotides A, C, G, T.
The process continues until all decoding solutions are made. This
approach differs from the first one in that the same dye is used to
label all sequences. Decoding is accomplished by exposing the array
to each of the decoding solutions sequentially. For example
decoding solution 1a will decode for the beads with A at position
X.sub.1. After exposure to decoding solution 1a, the array is
rinsed and exposed to decoding solution 2a. The imaging system
simply subtracts the fluorescent image after solution 1b from the
solution 1a image and the difference highlights all the sequences
containing C at position X.sub.1. The process is repeated with
solutions 1c and 1d, The array is then dehybridized to allow the
next four solutions 2a-d to decode position X.sub.2. The process is
repeated until all the positions are decoded. The differences with
this approach are only one dye is employed and the decoding at each
position is accomplished by sequential exposure to the individual
decoding solutions.
##STR00005##
In an alternative embodiment, decoder probes that make use of
internal (as opposed to terminal) detection nucleotides are used to
decode the array.
The success of the decoding approaches described above depends on
the fidelity of hybridization. The schemes above rely on the
ability to differentiate sequences at the terminal base pair.
A particular preferred embodiment includes an alternative approach
that can be employed in which internal bases are used to decode. In
this approach, internal sequence positions are decoded with
essentially the same scheme employed above. An example is
illustrative. X represents all possible bases at the designated
positions. In this manner, stringency requirements can be relaxed
due to the lower propensity for internal mismatches to
hybridize.
TABLE-US-00003 F.sub.1BDEFHIJ-AXXX 1a F.sub.2 BDEFHIJ-CXXX 1b
F.sub.3BDEFH1J-GXXX 1c F.sub.4 BDEFHIJ-TXXX 1d Decoding Solution
1
One potential difficulty with this approach is the extraordinary
complexity of the individual decoding solutions. For example, if it
is required to decode a 10mer, the decoding solution will contain
over one million sequences. The complexity of this solution may
cause hybridization difficulties due to hybrid stability and/or
local structure. An alternative decoding approach would employ
universal bases in which all positions except for the decoding
position are substituted with bases that can hybridize to all
nucleotides. In this approach, the synthesis of the decoding
solutions would be similar except that X=universal base, greatly
simplifying the complexity of the decoding solution.
In addition, since from a practical standpoint the size of the
array will depend on the number of decoding probes which can be
easily handled, it is possible to "reuse" a set of decoding probes
to allow for a greater number of test sites. This may be done in
several ways; for example, by using some subpopulations of beads
that comprise optical signatures. Similarly, the use of a
positional coding scheme within an array; different sub-bundles may
reuse the set of DPs. Similarly, one embodiment utilizes bead size
as a coding modality, thus allowing the reuse of the set of unique
DPs for each bead size. Alternatively, sequential partial loading
of arrays with beads can also allow the reuse of DPs. Furthermore,
"code sharing" can occur as well.
In a preferred embodiment, the DPs may be reused by having some
subpopulations of beads comprise optical signatures. In a preferred
embodiment, the optical signature is generally a mixture of
reporter dyes, preferably fluoroscent. By varying both the
composition of the mixture (i.e. the ratio of one dye to another)
and the concentration of the dye (leading to differences in signal
intensity), matrices of unique optical signatures may be generated.
This may be done by covalently attaching the dyes to the surface of
the beads, or alternatively, by entrapping the dye within the bead.
The dyes may be chromophores or phosphors but are preferably
fluorescent dyes, which due to their strong signals provide a good
signal-to-noise ratio for decoding. Suitable dyes for use in the
invention include those listed above as useful as labels.
In a preferred embodiment, the encoding can be accomplished in a
ratio of at least two dyes, although more encoding dimensions may
be added in the size of the beads, for example. In addition, the
labels are distinguishable from one another; thus two different
labels may comprise different molecules (i.e. two different fluors)
or, alternatively, one label at two different concentrations or
intensity.
In a preferred embodiment, the dyes are covalently attached to the
surface of the beads. This may be done as is generally outlined for
the attachment of the bioactive agents, using functional groups on
the surface of the beads. As will be appreciated by those in the
art, these attachments are done to minimize the effect on the
dye.
In a preferred embodiment, the dyes are non-covalently associated
with the beads, generally by entrapping the dyes in the pores of
the beads.
Additionally, encoding in the ratios of the two or more dyes,
rather than single dye concentrations, is preferred since it
provides insensitivity to the intensity of light used to
interrogate the reporter dye's signature and detector
sensitivity.
In a preferred embodiment, a spatial or positional coding system is
done. In this embodiment, there are sub-bundles or subarrays (i.e.
portions of the total array) that are utilized. By analogy with the
telephone system, each subarray is an "area code", that can have
the same tags (i.e. telephone numbers) of other subarrays, that are
separated by virtue of the location of the subarray. Thus, for
example, the same unique tags can be reused from bundle to bundle.
Thus, the use of 50 unique tags in combination with 100 different
subarrays can form an array of 5000 different bioactive agents. In
this embodiment, it becomes important to be able to identify one
bundle from another; in general, this is done either manually or
through the use of marker beads, i.e. beads containing unique tags
for each subarray.
In alternative embodiments, additional encoding parameters can be
added, such as microsphere size. For example, the use of different
size beads may also allow the reuse of sets of DPs; that is, it is
possible to use microspheres of different sizes to expand the
encoding dimensions of the microspheres. Optical fiber arrays can
be fabricated containing pixels with different fiber diameters or
cross-sections; alternatively, two or more fiber optic bundles,
each with different cross-sections of the individual fibers, can be
added together to form a larger bundle; or, fiber optic bundles
with fiber of the same size cross-sections can be used, but just
with different sized beads. With different diameters, the largest
wells can be filled with the largest microspheres and then moving
onto progressively smaller microspheres in the smaller wells until
all size wells are then filled. In this manner, the same dye ratio
could be used to encode microspheres of different sizes thereby
expanding the number of different oligonucleotide sequences or
chemical functionalities present in the array. Although outlined
for fiber optic substrates, this as well as the other methods
outlined herein can be used with other substrates and with other
attachment modalities as well.
In a preferred embodiment, the coding and decoding is accomplished
by sequential loading of the microspheres into the array. As
outlined above for spatial coding, in this embodiment, the optical
signatures can be "reused". In this embodiment, the library of
microspheres each comprising a different bioactive agent (or the
subpopulations each comprise a different bioactive agent), is
divided into a plurality of sublibraries; for example, depending on
the size of the desired array and the number of unique tags, 10
sublibraries each comprising roughly 10% of the total library may
be made, with each sublibrary comprising roughly the same unique
tags. Then, the first sublibrary is added to the fiber optic bundle
comprising the wells, and the location of each bioactive agent is
determined, generally through the use of DPs. The second sublibrary
is then added, and the location of each bioactive agent is again
determined. The signal in this case will comprise the signal from
the "first" DP and the "second" DP; by comparing the two matrices
the location of each bead in each sublibrary can be determined.
Similarly, adding the third, fourth, etc. sublibraries sequentially
will allow the array to be filled.
In a preferred embodiment, codes can be "shared" in several ways.
In a first embodiment, a single code (i.e., IP/DP pair) can be
assigned to two or more agents if the target analytes different
sufficiently in their binding strengths. For example, two nucleic
acid probes used in an mRNA quantitation assay can share the same
code if the ranges of their hybridization signal intensities do not
overlap. This can occur, for example, when one of the target
sequences is always present at a much higher concentration than the
other. Alternatively, the two target sequences might always be
present at a similar concentration, but differ in hybridization
efficiency.
Alternatively, a single code can be assigned to multiple agents if
the agents are functionally equivalent. For example, if a set of
oligonucleotide probes are designed with the common purpose of
detecting the presence of a particular gene, then the probes are
functionally equivalent, even though they may differ in sequence.
Similarly, if classes of analytes are desired, all probes for
different members of a class such as kinases or G-protein coupled
receptors could share a code. Similarly, an array of this type
could be used to detect homo logs of known genes. In this
embodiment, each gene is represented by a heterologous set of
probes, hybridizing to different regions of the gene (and therefore
differing in sequence). The set of probes share a common code. If a
homolog is present, it might hybridize to some but not all of the
probes. The level of homology might be indicated by the fraction of
probes hybridizing, as well as the average hybridization intensity.
Similarly, multiple antibodies to the same protein could all share
the same code. Other aspects of coding and decoding are described
in U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/090,473, filed Jun. 24, 1998, 09/189,543,
filed Nov. 10, 1998, 09/344,526, filed Jun. 24, 1999, and
60/172,106, filed Dec. 23, 1999, all of which are expressly
incorporated herein by reference.
In addition, while preferred embodiments utilize the complete
decoding of every identifier probe on the array, it is also
possible to decode less than the complete array. For example, in a
preferred embodiment, a selective decoding system is used. In this
case, only those microspheres exhibiting a change in the optical
signal as a result of the binding of a target analyte are decoded.
This is commonly done when the number of "hits", i.e. the number of
sites to decode, is generally low. That is, the array is first
scanned under experimental conditions in the absence of the target
analytes. The sample containing the target analytes is added, and
only those locations exhibiting a change in the optical signal are
decoded. For example, the beads at either the positive or negative
signal locations may be either selectively tagged or released from
the array (for example through the use of photo cleavable linkers),
and subsequently sorted or enriched in a FACS. That is, either all
the negative beads are released, and then the positive beads are
either released or analyzed in situ, or alternatively all the
positives are released and analyzed. Alternatively, the labels may
comprise halogenated aromatic compounds, and detection of the label
is done using for example gas chromatography, chemical tags,
isotopic tags mass spectral tags.
As will be appreciated by those in the art, this may also be done
in systems where the array is not decoded; i.e. there need not ever
be a correlation of bead composition with location. In this
embodiment, the beads are loaded on the array, and the assay is
run. The "positives", i.e. those beads displaying a change in the
optical signal as is more fully outlined below, are then "marked"
to distinguish or separate them from the "negative" beads. This can
be done in several ways, preferably using fiber optic arrays. In a
preferred embodiment, each bead contains a fluorescent dye. After
the assay and the identification of the "positives" or "active
beads", light is shone down either only the positive fibers or only
the negative fibers, generally in the presence of a light-activated
reagent (typically dissolved oxygen). In the former case, all the
active beads are photobleached. Thus, upon non-selective release of
all the beads with subsequent sorting, for example using a
fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) machine, the
non-fluorescent active beads can be sorted from the fluorescent
negative beads. Alternatively, when light is shone down the
negative fibers, all the negatives are non-fluorescent and the
positives are fluorescent, and sorting can proceed. The
characterization of the attached bioactive agent may be done
directly, for example using mass spectroscopy.
Alternatively, rather than having each bead contain a fluorescent
dye, each bead comprises a non-fluorescent precursor to a
fluorescent dye. For example, using photocleavable protecting
groups, such as certain ortho-nitrobenzyl groups, on a fluorescent
molecule, photoactivation of the fluorochrome can be done. After
the assay, light is shone down again either the "positive" or the
"negative" fibers, to distinguish these populations. The
illuminated precursors are then chemically converted to a
fluorescent dye. All the beads are then released from the array,
with sorting, to form populations of fluorescent and
non-fluorescent beads (either the positives and the negatives or
vice versa).
In an alternate preferred embodiment, the sites of attachment of
the beads (for example the wells) include a photopolymerizable
reagent, or the photopolymerizable agent is added to the assembled
array. After the test assay is run, light is shone down again
either the "positive" or the "negative" fibers, to distinguish
these populations. As a result of the irradiation, either all the
positives or all the negatives are polymerized and trapped or bound
to the sites, while the other population of beads can be released
from the array.
Accordingly, the identification of the location of the individual
beads (or subpopulations of beads) is accomplished using one or
more decoding steps comprising a binding between the labeled DP and
the IP. After decoding, the DPs can be removed and the array can be
used; however, in some circumstances, for example when the DP binds
to an IP and not to the bioactive agent, the removal of the DP is
not required (although it may be desirable in some circumstances).
In addition, as outlined herein, decoding may be done either before
the array is used in an assay, during the assay, or after the
assay.
Once made, the compositions of the invention find use in a number
of applications. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions are
used to probe a sample solution for the presence or absence of a
target analyte, including the quantification of the amount of
target analyte present. By "target analyte" or "analyte" or
grammatical equivalents herein is meant any atom, molecule, ion,
molecular ion, compound or particle to be either detected or
evaluated for binding partners. As will be appreciated by those in
the art, a large number of analytes may be used in the present
invention; basically, any target analyte can be used which binds a
bioactive agent or for which a binding partner (i.e., drug
candidate) is sought.
Suitable analytes include organic and inorganic molecules,
including biomolecules. When detection of a target analyte is
performed, suitable target analytes include, but are not limited
to, an environmental pollutant (including pesticides, insecticides,
toxins, etc.); a chemical (including solvents, polymers, organic
materials, etc.); therapeutic molecules (including therapeutic and
abused drugs, antibiotics, etc.); biomolecules (including hormones,
cytokines, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, cellular
membrane antigens and receptors (neural, hormonal, nutrient, and
cell surface receptors) or their ligands, etc); whole cells
(including procaryotic (such as pathogenic bacteria) and eukaryotic
cells, including mammalian tumor cells); viruses (including
retroviruses, herpesviruses, adenoviruses, lentiviruses, etc.); and
spores; etc. Particularly preferred analytes are nucleic acids and
proteins.
In a preferred embodiment, the target analyte is a protein. As will
be appreciated by those in the art, there are a large number of
possible proteinaceous target analytes that may be detected or
evaluated for binding partners using the present invention.
Suitable protein target analytes include, but are not limited to,
(1) immunoglobulins; (2) enzymes (and other proteins); (3) hormones
and cytokines (many of which serve as ligands for cellular
receptors); and (4) other proteins.
In a preferred embodiment, the target analyte is a nucleic acid.
These assays find use in a wide variety of applications. Additional
applications include those as described in U.S. Ser. Nos.
60/130,089, filed Apr. 20, 1999, 60/160,027, filed Oct. 22, 1999,
09/513,362, filed Feb. 25, 2000, 60/135,051, filed May 20, 1999,
60/161,148, filed Oct. 22, 1999, 09/517,945, filed Mar. 3, 2000,
60/135,053, filed May 20, 1999, 09/425,633, filed Oct. 22, 1999,
09/535,854, filed Mar. 27, 2000, 09/533,993, filed Apr. 20, 2000
and 09/556,463, filed Apr. 21, 2000, all of which are expressly
incorporated herein by reference.
In a preferred embodiment, the probes are used in genetic
diagnosis. For example, probes can be made using the techniques
disclosed herein to detect target sequences such as the gene for
nonpolyposis colon cancer, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer genes,
p53, which is a gene associated with a variety of cancers, the Apo
E4 gene that indicates a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease,
allowing for easy presymptornatic screening of patients, mutations
in the cystic fibrosis gene, cytochrome p450s or any of the others
well known in the art.
In an additional embodiment, viral and bacterial detection is
performed using the complexes of the invention. In this embodiment,
probes are designed to detect target sequences from a variety of
bacteria and viruses. For example, current blood-screening
techniques rely on the detection of anti-HIV antibodies. The
methods disclosed herein allow for direct screening of clinical
samples to detect HIV nucleic acid sequences, particularly highly
conserved HIV sequences. In addition, this allows direct monitoring
of circulating virus within a patient as an improved method of
assessing the efficacy of anti-viral therapies. Similarly, viruses
associated with leukemia, HTLV-I and HTLV-II, may be detected in
this way. Bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, chlamydia and
other sexually transmitted diseases, may also be detected.
In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acids of the invention find
use as probes for toxic bacteria in the screening of water and food
samples. For example, samples may be treated to lyse the bacteria
to release its nucleic acid, and then probes designed to recognize
bacterial strains, including, but not limited to, such pathogenic
strains as, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Vibrio cholerae, Leishmania,
enterotoxic strains of E. coli, and Legionnaire's disease bacteria.
Similarly, bioremediation strategies may be evaluated using the
compositions of the invention.
In a further embodiment, the probes are used for forensic "DNA
fingerprinting" to match crime-scene DNA against samples taken from
victims and suspects.
In an additional embodiment, the probes in an array are used for
sequencing by hybridization; see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,695,940,
5,202,231 and 5,525,464, all of which are incorporated by
reference.
The present invention also finds use as a methodology for the
detection of mutations or mismatches in target nucleic acid
sequences. For example, recent focus has been on the analysis of
the relationship between genetic variation and phenotype by making
use of polymorphic DNA markers. Previous work utilized short tandem
repeats (STRs) as polymorphic positional markers; however, recent
focus is on the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
which occur at an average frequency of more than 1 per kilobase in
human genomic DNA. Some SNPs. particularly those in and around
coding sequences, are likely to be the direct cause of
therapeutically relevant phenotypic variants. There are a number of
well known polymorphisms that cause clinically important
phenotypes; for example, the apoE2/3/4 variants are associated with
different relative risk of Alzheimer's and other diseases (see
Cordor et al., Science 261 (1993)). Multiplex PCR amplification of
SNP loci with subsequent hybridization to oligonucleotide arrays
has been shown to be an accurate and reliable method of
simultaneously genotyping at least hundreds of SNPs; see Wang et
al, Science, 280: 1077 (1998); see also Schafer et al., Nature
Biotechnology 16:33-39 (1998). The compositions of the present
invention may easily be substituted for the arrays of the prior
art.
In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the invention are
used to screen bioactive agents to find an agent that will bind,
and preferably modify the function of, a target molecule. As above,
a wide variety of different assay formats may be run, as will be
appreciated by those in the art. Generally, the target analyte for
which a binding partner is desired is labeled; binding of the
target analyte by the bioactive agent results in the recruitment of
the label to the bead, with subsequent detection.
In a preferred embodiment, the binding of the bioactive agent and
the target analyte is specific; that is, the bioactive agent
specifically binds to the target analyte. By "specifically bind"
herein is meant that the agent binds the analyte, with specificity
sufficient to differentiate between the analyte and other
components or contaminants of the test sample. However, as will be
appreciated by those in the art, it will be possible to detect
analytes using binding which is not highly specific; for example,
the systems may use different binding ligands, for example an array
of different ligands, and detection of any particular analyte is
via its "signature" of binding to a panel of binding ligands,
similar to the manner in which "electronic noses" work. This finds
particular utility in the detection of chemical analytes. The
binding should be sufficient to remain bound under the conditions
of the assay, including wash steps to remove non-specific binding,
although in some embodiments, wash steps are not desired; i.e. for
detecting low affinity binding partners. In some embodiments, for
example in the detection of certain biomolecules, the dissociation
constants of the analyte to the binding ligand will be less than
about 10.sup.-4-10.sup.-6 M.sup.-1, with less than about 10.sup.-5
to 10.sup.-9 M.sup.-1 being preferred and less than about
10.sup.-7-10.sup.-9 M.sup.-1 being particularly preferred.
Generally, a sample containing a target analyte (whether for
detection of the target analyte or screening for binding partners
of the target analyte) is added to the array, under conditions
suitable for binding of the target analyte to at least one of the
bioactive agents, i.e. generally physiological conditions. The
presence or absence of the target analyte is then detected. As will
be appreciated by those in the art, this may be done in a variety
of ways, generally through the use of a change in an optical
signal. This change can occur via many different mechanisms. A few
examples include the binding of a dye-tagged analyte to the bead,
the production of a dye species on or near the beads, the
destruction of an existing dye species, a change in the optical
signature upon analyte interaction with dye on bead, or any other
optical interrogatable event.
In a preferred embodiment, the change in optical signal occurs as a
result of the binding of a target analyte that is labeled, either
directly or indirectly, with a detectable label, preferably an
optical label such as a fluorochrome. Thus, for example, when a
proteinaceous target analyte is used, it may be either directly
labeled with a fluor, or indirectly, for example through the use of
a labeled antibody. Similarly, nucleic acids are easily labeled
with fluorochromes, for example during PCR amplification as is
known in the art. Alternatively, upon binding of the target
sequences, a hybridization indicator may be used as the label.
Hybridization indicators preferentially associate with double
stranded nucleic acid, usually reversibly. Hybridization indicators
include intercalators and minor and/or major groove binding
moieties. In a preferred embodiment, intercalators may be used;
since intercalation generally only occurs in the presence of double
stranded nucleic acid, only in the presence of target hybridization
will the label light up. Thus, upon binding of the target analyte
to a bioactive agent, there is a new optical signal generated at
that site, which then may be detected.
Alternatively, in some cases, as discussed above, the target
analyte such as an enzyme generates a species that is either
directly or indirectly optical detectable.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, a change in the optical signature
may be the basis of the optical signal. For example, the
interaction of some chemical target analytes with some fluorescent
dyes on the beads may alter the optical signature, thus generating
a different optical signal.
As will be appreciated by those in the art, in some embodiments,
the presence or absence of the target analyte may be performed
using changes in other optical or non-optical signals, including,
but not limited to, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, surface
plasmon resonance, radioactivity, etc.
The assays may be run under a variety of experimental conditions,
as will be appreciated by those in the art. A variety of other
reagents may be included in the screening assays. These include
reagents like salts, neutral proteins, e.g. albumin, detergents,
etc which may be used to facilitate optimal protein-protein binding
and/or reduce non-specific or background interactions. Also
reagents that otherwise improve the efficiency of the assay, such
as protease inhibitors, nuclease inhibitors, anti-microbial agents,
etc., may be used. The mixture of components may be added in any
order that provides for the requisite binding. Various blocking and
washing steps may be utilized as is known in the art.
In a preferred embodiment, two-color competitive hybridization
assays are run. These assays can be based on traditional sandwich
assays. The beads contain a capture sequence located on one side
(upstream or downstream) of the SNP, to capture the target
sequence. Two SNP allele-specific probes, each labeled with a
different fluorophor, are hybridized to the target sequence. The
genotype can be obtained from a ratio of the two signals, with the
correct sequence generally exhibiting better binding. This has an
advantage in that the target sequence itself need not be labeled.
In addition, since the probes are competing, this means that the
conditions for binding need not be optimized. Under conditions
where a mismatched probe would be stably bound, a matched probe can
still displace it. Therefore the competitive assay can provide
better discrimination under those conditions. Because many assays
are carried out in parallel, conditions cannot be optimized for
every probe simultaneously. Therefore, a competitive assay system
can be used to help compensate for non-optimal conditions for
mismatch discrimination.
In a preferred embodiment, dideoxynucleotide chain-termination
sequencing is performed using the compositions of the invention. In
this embodiment, a DNA polymerase is used to extend a primer using
fluorescently labeled ddNTPs. The 3' end of the primer is located
adjacent to the SNP site. In this way, the single base extension is
complementary to the sequence at the SNP site. By using four
different fluorophors, one for each base, the sequence of the SNP
can be deduced by comparing the four base-specific signals. This
may be done in several ways. In a first embodiment, the capture
probe can be extended; in this approach, the probe must either be
synthesized 5'-3' on the bead, or attached at the 5' end, to
provide a free 3' end for polymerase extension. Alternatively, a
sandwich type assay can be used; in this embodiment, the target is
captured on the bead by a probe, then a primer is annealed and
extended. Again, in the latter case, the target sequence need not
be labeled. In addition, since sandwich assays require two specific
interactions, this provides increased stringency which is
particularly helpful for the analysis of complex samples.
In addition, when the target analyte and the DP both bind to the
agent, it is also possible to detect non-labeled target analytes
via competition of decoding.
In a preferred embodiment, the methods of the invention are useful
in array quality control. Prior to this invention, no methods have
been described that provide a positive test of the performance of
every probe on every array. Decoding of the array not only provides
this test, it also does so by making use of the data generated
during the decoding process itself. Therefore, no additional
experimental work is required. The invention requires only a set of
data analysis algorithms that can be encoded in software.
The quality control procedure can identify a wide variety of
systematic and random problems in an array. For example, random
specks of dust or other contaminants might cause some sensors to
give an incorrect signal--this can be detected during decoding. The
omission of one or more agents from multiple arrays can also be
detected. An advantage of this quality control procedure is that it
can be implemented immediated prior to the assay itself, and is a
true functional test of each individual sensor. Therefore any
problems that might occur between array assembly and actual use can
be detected. In applications where a very high level of confidence
is required, and/or there is a significant chance of sensor failure
during the experimental procedure, decoding and quality control can
be conducted both before and after the actual sample analysis.
In a preferred embodiment, the arrays can be used to perform
reagent quality control. In many instances, biological
macromolecules are used as reagents and must be quality controlled.
For example, large sets of oligonucleotide probes may be provided
as reagents. It is typically difficult to perform quality control
on large numbers of different biological macromolecules. The
approach described here can be used to do this by treating the
reagents (formulated as the DPs) as variable instead of the
arrays.
In a preferred embodiment, the methods outlined herein are used in
array calibration. For many applications, such as mRNA
quantitation, it is desirable to have a signal that is a linear
response to the concentration of the target analyte, or,
alternatively, if non-linear, to determine a relationship between
concentration and signal, so that the concentration of the target
analyte can be estimated. Accordingly, the present invention
provides methods of creating calibration curves in parallel for
multiple beads in an array. The calibration curves can be created
under conditions that simulate the complexity of the sample to be
analyzed. Each curve can be constructed independently of the others
(e.g. for a different range of concentrations), but at the same
time as all the other curves for the array. Thus, in this
embodiment, the sequential decoding scheme is implemented with
different concentrations being used as the code "labels", rather
than different fluorophores. In this way, signal as a response to
concentration can be measured for each bead. This calibration can
be carried out just prior to array use, so that every probe on
every array is individually calibrated as needed.
In a preferred embodiment, the methods of the invention can be used
in assay development as well. Thus, for example, the methods allow
the identification of good and bad probes; as is understood by
those in the art, some probes do not function well because they do
not hybridize well, or because they cross-hybridize with more than
one sequence. These problems are easily detected during decoding.
The ability to rapidly assess probe performance has the potential
to greatly reduce the time and expense of assay development.
Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the methods of the invention
are useful in quantitation in assay development. A major challenge
of many assays is the ability to detect differences in analyte
concentrations between samples, the ability to quantitate these
differences, and to measure absolute concentrations of analytes,
all in the presence of a complex mixture of related analytes. An
example of this problem is the quantitation of a specific mRNA in
the presence of total cellular mRNA. One approach that has been
developed as a basis of mRNA quantitation makes use of a multiple
match and mismatch probe pairs (Lockhart et al., 1996, hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety). While this approach is
simple, it requires relatively large numbers of probes. In this
approach, a quantitative response to concentration is obtained by
averaging the signals from a set of different probes to the gene or
sequence of interest. This is necessary because only some probes
respond quantitatively, and it is not possible to predict these
probes with certainty. In the absence of prior knowledge, only the
average response of an appropriately chosen collection of probes is
quantitative. However, in the present invention, that can be
applied generally to nucleic acid based assays as well as other
assays. In essence, the approach is to identify the probes that
respond quantitatively in a particular assay, rather than average
them with other probes. This is done using the array calibration
scheme outlined above, in which concentration-based codes are used.
Advantages of this approach include: fewer probes are needed; the
accuracy of the measurement is less dependent on the number of
probes used; and that the response of the sensors is known with a
high level of certainty, since each and every sequence can be
tested in an efficient manner. It is important to note that probes
that perform well are selected empirically, which avoids the
difficulties and uncertainties of predicting probe performance,
particularly in complex sequence mixtures. In contrast, in
experiments described to date with ordered arrays, relatively small
numbers of sequences are checked by performing quantitative spiking
experiments, in which a known mRNA is added to a mixture.
All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
The following examples serve to more fully describe the manner of
using the above-described invention, as well as to set forth the
best modes contemplated for carrying out various aspects of the
invention. It is understood that these examples in no way serve to
limit the true scope of this invention, but rather are presented
for illustrative purposes.
EXAMPLE
Example 1
Identification of Sequence on Beads
The anchor consists of the following 8 mer:
TABLE-US-00004 3'-NH.sub.2-G GAG CTG G-5'
The probe consists of the anchor +4 bases. The 4 base sequence used
is AAAA. The probe is attached to the bead at the 3' end.
Targets
The target consists of the anchor's complement+4 bases: 5'-dye-C
CTC GAC C+XXXX-3' (SEQ ID NO: 39). The dye is attached to the 5'
end of the probe. The target mixture contains all 64 possible
targets. Briefly: there are 4 solutions each containing 16 targets.
Each of the 4.sub.(16) target solutions has a different dye label
and the base applied at, e.g., 9 is known. Once the 4 target
solutions are mixed (named, e.g., Mx9), the total target number is
64.
Dyes
The 4 labels used in the experiment include: Cy5 (620/700), Cy3
(530/580), Fluorescein (495/530), Biotin (secondary reaction with
F1-Streptavidin (495/530).
Experimental
Making Target Solutions in Buffer
The stock target solutions (16 targets) are diluted to a
concentration of 10 .mu.M in TE buffer pH 8.3 containing 0.1% SDS
and 0.1M NaCl. Once the 4 target solutions are mixed, the final
concentration of each probe is 156 nM.
a) The concentration of the targets with fluorescein was 3.times.
the concentration of the other targets. The Fluorescein labeled
target stock solutions were diluted to 30 .mu.M before the 4 were
mixed together.
Example of targets where position 9 is known:
TABLE-US-00005 16 targets with Biotin label 9A = anchor + AXXX 10
.mu.M 16 targets with Fluorescein label 9T = anchor + TXXX 30 .mu.M
16 targets with Cy 5 label 9C = anchor + CXXX 10 .mu.M 16 targets
with Cy 3 label 9G = anchor + GXXX 10 .mu.M
a) cont. Mix 20 .mu.L of 9A, 9T, 9C and 9G.
Making Target Solutions in Formamide
The single base specificity was achieved in a 20-25% formamide
solution.
The 4.sub.(16) stock solutions (approx. 120 .mu.M) were diluted
with 25% formamide to 10 .mu.M solutions.
TABLE-US-00006 Imaging Parameters 40.times. objective 1.5
magnifying lens No ND filter Cy5 620/700 0.5 s acquisition time
(divide final intensity by 2) Cy3 530/589 0.5 s acquisition time
(divide final intensity by 2) Fluorescein (495/530) 5 s acquisition
time
Assay with One Bead Type
The beads were placed in a fiber. The 4 base tail sequence was
identified with 4 solutions (Mx9, Mx10, Mx11, Mx12). E.g., the
fiber was placed in Mx9 for 5 minutes, rinsed in buffer, and images
were acquired at the 3 wavelengths. The fiber was then placed in a
3 .mu.g/ml F1-streptavidin solution. A second image was acquired at
the 495/530 setting. To analyze the data for position 9, the
average fluorescence intensity from (30) beads was acquired for
each wavelength. The average background signal (3-5 blank wells)
for each wavelength was subtracted from the average fluorescence
intensity. (The F1-streptavidin intensity was the second
(F1-streptavidin) 495 intensity minus the first fluorescein
intensity.)
The designation of the base at each position was generated from the
data acquired using 20% formamide. The label generating the highest
fluorescence intensity was the perfect complement.
The process was repeated with probes labeled at positions 10, 11
and 12. Results are depicted in FIGS. 2-4.
SEQUENCE LISTINGS
1
39112DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 1gcggtcccaa aa
12212DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 2gcggtcccga aa
12312DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 3gcggtcccac aa
12412DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 4gcggtccccg aa
12512DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 5gcggtcccca aa
12612DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 6gcggtcccta aa
12712DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 7gcggtcccag aa
12812DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 8gcggtcccat aa
12912DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 9gcggtcccgc aa
121012DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 10gcggtccctg aa
121112DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 11gcggtccccc aa
121212DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 12gcggtcccct aa
121312DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 13gcggtcccaa ga
121412DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 14gcggtcccaa ag
121512DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 15cgccagggtn nt
121612DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 16cgccagggcn nt
121712DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 17cgccaggggn nt
121812DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 18cgccagggan nt
121912DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 19cgccagggnt nt
122012DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 20cgccagggnc nt
122112DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 21cgccagggng nt
122212DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 22cgccagggna nt
122312DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 23cgccagggtc tt
122412DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 24cgccagggtg tt
122512DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 25cgccagggta tt
122612DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 26cgccagggtt ct
122712DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 27cgccagggtt gt
122812DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 28cgccagggtt at
122912DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 29cgccagggtt tc
123012DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 30cgccagggtt tg
123112DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 31cgccagggtt ta
123212DNAArtificial Sequencesynthetic 32gcggtcccct gg
123314DNAArtificial Sequenceindentifier probe 33atcgatcgta ctac
143410DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 34tagctagcna
103510DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 35tagctagcnt
103610DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 36tagctagcnc
103710DNAArtificial Sequencedecoding probes 37tagctagcng
103810DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 38tagctagcat
103912DNAArtificial Sequenceprobe sequence 39cctcgaccnn nn 12
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References